October may be all about Halloween, autumn leaves and pumpkin spice but did you know there’s yet another thing about this month worth celebrating? Why, it’s National Apple Month! This month as well as the following autumnal months brings us many different apple varieties and is the perfect time to sample all the wonderful fruits the fall harvest has to offer. As one of the world’s most common fruits consumed by kids and adults alike and the second most purchased fruit in the United States, apples are every bit worth the recognition. The fruity holiday originally started off as a week long celebration, enacted by he U.S. Apple Association all the way back in 1904 but has since expanded to a month in 1996. After all, they say an apple a day keeps the doctor away and to that, we say the more apples we eat, the better!
Fun fact: Did you know that there are over 7,000 different kinds of apple varieties? Here at Melissa’s, we offer some of the most popular and delicious apples in our selection. Perhaps you love the large size and sweetness only found in Honeycrisp Apples. Or you favor the unique pineapple-reminiscent flavor of Green Dragon Apples. No matter the kinds of apples you like the best, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s take a look at some of our most popular ones.
Aren’t these just some of the cutest little apples you’ve ever seen? Though they may resemble regular-sized apples, these miniature fruits, which are about the same size as cherries, are not normally recommended to be eaten raw. They have quite the reputation for being mouth puckering tart but their sweet and sour flavor and high pectin content make them popular in use for jams and jellies, which always make a scrumptious accompaniment to meat dishes like poultry or pork. Or you could also poach them in a sweet wine with cinnamon and cloves for an autumn-worthy dessert.
Green Dragon Apples are a force to be reckoned with! One of our favorite fall varieties, Green Dragon Apples are a cross between Golden Delicious Apples and Japanese Indo Apples. Said to be one of the most aromatic of apples, this variety is low in acidity and possesses a unique sweetness with a hint of pineapple or pineapple flavor. Its sweetness is subtle with just a lingering of tartness after each bite. These are some of the best apples around to eat raw but they can be added to both savory and sweet dishes.
When it comes to the many apple varieties available in the marketplace, the sweetness of Honeycrisp™ Apples is nearly unrivaled. Honeycrisps™ have a gorgeous coloring with light red striping over a golden background and are seasonally found during the fall and winter. These apples are quite large and firm in size, though they do bruise easily. They have a pleasantly juicy sweetness and wonderful crispness and are fantastic when eaten fresh or baked into desserts.
Lady Apples are one of America’s oldest known varieties and a traditional favorite used in cooking. This fruit is petite in size compared to other larger apples and can range from a green to yellow hue with a gorgeous crimson blushing. Lady Apples taste both sweet and tart and is known for its pleasant aroma and tender, slightly crisp flesh. Although delicious when eaten raw, they are popular for culinary use such as in baking, stuffing and incorporating into sauces and chutneys where their flavor becomes more pronounced after being cooked.
Organic Fuji Apples are some of the best all-around apples. This attractive variety was born in Japan but have quickly become a favorite in the United States. They offer the gorgeous coloring, juice and firmness of Red Delicious Apples and the exquisite heirloom flavor of Ralls Janet Apples. They have a thick, dense flesh that holds up well during the cooking process and are wonderful baked into desserts or roasted in the oven. Their sweetness also pairs nicely with sharp cheeses and are popular in charcuterie plates.
With the season bringing us all of these wonderful apple varieties, there are so many different ways to enjoy them. Apples are not just limited to eating straight out of hand, though tempting at times. Some varieties can be enjoyed year-round whereas other specialty ones are available during the crisp fall season. Here are 10 scrumptious ways you can make the most out of these sweet, juicy fruits.
10 Ways to Enjoy Melissa’s Apples
- Cinnamon Apple Fritters
- Sweet Crab Apple Potstickers w/Caramel Sauce
- Organic Crimson Gold Apple Stuffed Roasted Pork Chops
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
- Pomegranate and Apple Cake
- Apple Galette
- Ambrosia Applesauce
- Cran-Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake
- Baked Crimson Gold Apples
- Caramel Apple Cupcakes