Are you trying to choose the right variety of apple for your needs? There are many to choose from. There are heirloom varieties that have been around for hundreds of years and apple growers are constantly creating new varieties to meet consumer tastes and 2023 is no exception. Scroll down this page for a table of dozens of apple varieties includingphotos and their characteristics and best uses. This page has tips about harvesting and storing apples. And if you bring home some apples and want to make applesauce, apple butter,apple juice, apple pie, apple cobbler, apple crisp, even apple cider, just click the links for each to follow directions and recipes or see this page see this page for a master list of simple, reliable, illustrated canning, freezing or preserving directions. There are plenty of other related resources, such as this list of local regional and apple festivals - click on the resources dropdown above.

If you have questions or feedback, please let me know!

What's in season in December 2023, and other timely information:

Notes for December 2023: Summer is almost over and that means apples are here (see this new page for Apple Orchards in your area!), and except in northern areas, peaches and blueberries are finished. Some crops continue until frost, like raspberries, blackberries, figs, corn and tomatoes. Check your area's specific crop calendar (see this page) and call your local farms for seasonal updates.

See these pages to find a local Apple festival, and other festivals. We have a extensive guide to apple varieties and a guide to peach varieties. Also recipes, canning and freezing directions for apples, tomatoes, corn blueberries, peaches, etc.

And don't forget CORN MAZES are open now - find a local maze here.

See our comprehensive list of easy home canning, jam and jelly making, preserving, drying and freezing directions. You can access recipes and other resources from the drop down menus at the top of the page or the site search. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to write me! It is easy to make your own ice cream, even gelato, or low fat or low sugar ice cream - see this page. Also note, there are many copycat website listing U-pick farms now. The worst is the one that stole our name but ends with .farm.  (Yes, I've got lawyers on it)  They have all copied their information from here and usually do not ever update. Since 2002, I've been updating the information every day but Christmas; so if you see anything wrong or outdated, please write me!

Children's Consignment Sales are a great way to save money on clothes, toys, books, etc, They occur in both the Spring and Fall See our companion website to find a local community or church kid's consignment sale!

Apple varieties Alphabetical Chart - which apple to pick and why!

Apples are ripening a bit early this year. There have been few late frosts in the main apple growing regions, rain and temperatures have been good, so the year is shaping up well for a good apple crop. It's too early for prices, but I expect most areas to see $18 to $30 a bushel, depending on variety! Scroll down the page to see the chart, or click here for a PDF print version. And for an explanation of why apple slices turn brown and how to stop it, see this page! To see how to properly store apples for the winter, see this page!

Varieties which are exceptional for a trait are noted in the chart below (Best, very good, etc.). Varieties which are at least good and well-suited have an "X" in a column. A blank box simply means that they are average for the quality. Ultimately, it is personal preference and cultural traditions. that often determines which varieties of apples are used for which purpose. That said, sweeter and softer apples make the best applesauce (like Gala), harder, drier apples are often used for baking and storing (like Rome and Arkansas Black), and tarter, more crisp and juicier apples are often eaten fresh (like Honeycrisp).

The U.S. Apple Organization tells us the most popular (by sales) fresh apple varieties are, in order:

1. Gala
2. Red Delicious
3. Fuji
4. Granny Smith
5. Honeycrisp
6. Golden Delicious
7. McIntosh
8. Pink Lady
9. Braeburn
10. Ambrosia

Honeycrisp and Pink Lady continue to move up the chart, and Red Delicious is moving down. More heirloom varieties are being grown as sp[ecialty crops, and of course, every year sees some new varieties, most notably, those that resist browning when cut, like Ginger Gold and SnowSweet.

Apple Varieties Guide - Which Apple to Pick and Why!

If you would like to print a clean PDF version of this table, click here.

Summary Table (click here for the detailed guide)

(Sorted alphabetically on variety name; see this page for a sort by typical ripening date)

Blank means OK or average. Note: all apples should be stored in the fridge; those noted below as needing refrigeration are exceptionally quick to spoil in not refrigerated.

Name	Typical Ripening Date Dates are approximate and vary CONSIDERABLY with weather, location and more!	Eating fresh	Cooking	Apple Sauce	Apple Pie	Apple Juice	Apple Butter	Notes and Storage Tips
Akane	August		X
Ambrosia	mid to late September	X	X	good	X	X	X	Should Refrigerate. Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
Arkansas Black	mid to late October		Baking	too hard				Great keeper
Ashmead Kernal	late September into October	X	X
Autumn crisp	October	X	X	good	X	X	X	Cross of Golden Delicious and Monroe. Flesh resists browning
Baldwin	late mid-season		X	X	X
Bevan's Favorite	early July		X
Black Twig	mid to late October	X	X	X	X	X	X
Blondee	October	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	Yellow skin with slight russeting at the stem and scattered tan-colored pores. It has a unique sweet-tart flavor, with a crisp & juicy white flesh. Excellent for eating fresh and for cooking in your favorite recipe
Blushing Golden	early to Mid October	X	X		X	X	X
Braeburn	early to Mid October	X	X	X	X			Good all-purpose apple
Cameo	early to Mid October	Very good	X	Very good	X		X	Excellent flavor, Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
CandyCrisp	Early October (South), November (North)	X	X	good	X	X	X
Cortland	mid to late September	X		X	X	X	X	Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
Cosmic Crisp	mid to late September	X	X	Excellent	X	X	X	Cosmic Crisp is a cross between Honeycrisp and Enterprise apples, Storage is very good, High in both sugar and acidity, making it as good overall or better than Red Delicious, Gala and Fuji (The variety has its own Cosmic Crisp website)
Cox's Orange Pippin	early season (August)	X	X	good
Crimson Crisp	mid to Late Season (September)
Crispin (aka, /Mutsu)	Mid - late season	Very good	X	good, but watery	X	BEST	X
Davey	mid to Late Season (September)	X		good, but watery	X	X	X	This is a McIntosh-type apple, sweet-tart, very juicy and crunchy. It is a better keeper than the McIntosh.
Detroit Red	early , August into September	X	X					Heirloom brought from France by settlers in the Detroit area, but then later planted by Thomas Jefferson, using grafted trees of Detroit Red in the nursery at Monticello in 1805.
Earligold	August	X	X	X	X			Must Refrigerate
Empire	mid-August through September	X	X	X	X			A McIntosh type apple with a long shelf life. Aromatic and crisp with creamy white juicy flesh, sweet and tart. Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
Enterprise	early to Mid October	X	X
Evercrisp	Mid October through November	Very good	X	Very Good	X	BEST	X	Excellent storage due to it's parents (Fuji and Honeycrisp)
Fuji	mid to late October	Very good	X	BEST	X		X	Excellent all purpose apple, with sweet aromatic flavor, Great keeper; stores well in garage or basement
Gala	mid August to early September	Very good	X	BEST	X	X	X	Very sweet, excellent flavor, Must refrigerate; even then only keeps for a few weeks. Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
Ginger Gold	August	Very good	X	Very good	X		X	Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
Golden Delicious	mid to late September	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	Very sweet, mild flavor, Should Refrigerate
Goldrush	mid to late September	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	Tart, strong aroma flavor, should Refrigerate. Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
Granny Smith	mid to late October	X	X			X		Very tart almost sour apple
Gravenstein	August	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	Should Refrigerate
Grimes Golden	August	X	X				X
Hokuto	late mid-season (late September)	Very good	X	BEST	X		X	Excellent all purpose apple, with sweet aromatic flavor, good keeper;
Honeycrisp	September	Very good	X	good, but watery	X	BEST	X	Sweet, crisp apple. Storage is good, not great
Idared	October	X	X		X
Jazz	early to Mid October	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	Newer variety, sweet, juicy
Jersey Mac	August	X	X					OK
Jonagold	mid to late September	X		Very good		X		OK storage, great all purpose apple.
Jonalicious	mid to late September	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	Must Refrigerate, very sweet.
Jonamac	mid to late September	X		Very good		X		OK
Jonathan	mid to late September	X	X	Very good	X	X	X	OK
Jubilee	mid September to early October	X	X	X	X			Stores well - it is an earlier version of Fuji
Keepsake	Late September to early October	X	X		X
Liberty	mid to late October	X	X
Lodi	Mid July	X		GOOD				Must Refrigerate
Macoun	mid to late October	X	X
McIntosh	September	X		good		X	X
Melrose	early to Mid October	X	X	Very good	X	X	X
Mollies Delicious	August		X					Must Refrigerate
Mutsu, also called Crispin	Late September to early October	X	X	Very good	X		X
Northern Spy	Late September to early October	X	X					Very good for storing
Opal	mid to late October	X	X			X		Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info) Dense, crisp, cream-colored flesh with a sweet taste and a slightly tart finish. The taste has been compared to the Honeycrisp, with hints of pear, coconut, and banana
Ozark Gold	Early August		X
PaulaRed	mid August to early September	X	X	X	X		X
Pink Lady	mid to late October	X	X	good	X	X	X
Pink Pearl	Mid- August	X	X	good				Tart but sweet. Firm.
Pristine	early July	X	X	good				Very sweet, juicy, does not store well, bruises easily (like Gala)
Red Delicious	mid to late September	X		good			X
Redfree	Late-July	X	X					Firm flesh and can be held in storage up to 2 months without loss of quality or firmness.
Rome	early to Mid October		X		X
RubyFrost	Late season, ripens later in the fall	X
Sansa		X						Not a great keeper
September Wonder	mid-September	X	X	X				Sweet older variety, dates back to Washington State, 1902
Shizuka	Late September to early October	X	X	X	X	X	X	Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
Snowsweet	Late September, 2 weeks after HoneyCrisp	X		X	X	X	X	Good storer. Does not brown when sliced (see this page for more info)
Stayman	Early September	X
Stayman Winesap	mid to late October	X	X	good		X
Strawberry	Early September	X	X	X	X	X	X	OK for storage. Also called the Chenango Strawberry apple
Summer banana	mid-August	X	X					heirloom, when fully ripe has the faint smell of bananas
Suncrisp	mid to late October	X	X		X	X	X
Sundance	early to Mid October	X	X			X	X
SweeTango	mid August to early September	X		X	X		X
Ultra Gold	mid to late September	X	X	X	X	X	X
Virginia Gold	Late-September	X	X					Also good for apple cider
Vista Belle	July	X	X	X	X	X	X	Crisp, tart and remarkably rich-flavored apple, does NOT store well
Wild Crisp	October	Very good	X	good, but watery	X	BEST	X	Cross between Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink (AKA Pink Lady)Juicy, sweet, crisp, great for fresh eating or all-purpose, applesauce or in a fruit salad
William's Pride	Early-July	X	X
Winesap	late-season		X					All-purpose apple
Yates	mid to late October	X	X		X	X		Stores very well
York		X	X
Zestar	mid-July to mid-August	X	X	X	X	X	X	Should Refrigerate

Click here for detailed descriptions of each apple variety with detailed characteristics

Of course, each region of the country and each season varies. Variations in rainfall and temperature greatly affect the usual ripening date. So call ahead!

English Apple Varieties

These links take you to photos on GardenAction.co.uk

• Bramley - The English gush over this apple with a fever (fevour?:) that borders on mania. It's basically a granny smith type, a higher acid content and lower sugar apple, with a stronger, more tangy taste. Bramley's are considered to be an ideal cooking apple.
• Charles Ross
• Crispin
• Early Victoria
• Early Worcester
• Ellisons Orange
• Epicure
• Gibsons Scarlet
• Golden Spire
• Greensleaves
• Howgate Wonder
• Ingrid Marie
• James Grieve
• Jonagored
• Jupiter
• Katy
• Orleans Reinette
• Peasgood Nonsuch
• Red Gravenstein
• Red Victoria
• Rev W. Wilks
• Ribston Pippin
• Rosemary Russett
• Spartan
• Sturmer Pippin
• Sunset
• Superb
• Tydermans Late Orange
• Warners King
• Winston

More about apple varieties can be found:

University of Illinois Apple page

Michigan Apple Varieties

Apple photos and brief descriptions

Credits:

photos:
Jonamac, Macoun, PaulaRed: Courtesy of New York Apple Association, © New York Apple Association

And if you are looking for shipping containers for apples and other fruit, see this page.

Canning Books, Supplies and Accessories

These are my favorite essential canning tools, books and supplies. I've been using many of these for over 50 years of canning! The ones below on this page are just the sampling of. my preferred tools. but you can find much more detailed and extensive selections on the pages that are linked below.

• Strainers, pit removers, seed-skin-stem removers, jelly strainers, etc. All types, makes and prices (from $19 to $350)
• Selecting a KitchenAid mixer and attachments for home canning
• Vacuum Foodsealers for freezing, dried foods, and refrigerated foods - the FoodSaver line
• Cherry pitters reviews, prices and ordering
• Steam Juicers
• Food dehydrators - easy and fast to dry your own fruits, veggies, sun-dried tomatoes, etc.

The All New Ball Book Of Canning And Preserving: Over 350 of the Best Canned, Jammed, Pickled, and Preserved Recipes Paperback

This is THE book on canning! My grandmother used this book when I was a child.; It tells you in simple instructions how to can almost anything; complete with recipes for jam, jellies, pickles, sauces, canning vegetables, meats, etc.

If it can be canned, this book likely tells you how! Click on the link below for more information and / or to buy (no obligation to buy)The New Ball Blue Book of Canning and Preserving

Canning and Preserving for Dummies by Karen Ward

This is another popular canning book. Click here for more information, reviews, prices for Canning and Preserving For Dummies

Of course, you do not need to buy ANY canning book as I have about 500 canning, freezing, dehydrating and more recipes all online for free, just see Easy Home Canning Directions.

Home Canning Kits

I have several canners, and my favorite is the stainless steel one at right. It is easy to clean and seems like it will last forever. Mine is 10 years old and looks like new.

The black ones are the same type of standard canner that my grandmother used to make everything from applesauce to jams and jellies to tomato and spaghetti sauce.

This complete kit includes everything you need and lasts for years: the canner, jar rack, Jar grabber tongs, lid lifting wand, a plastic funnel, labels, bubble freer,  It's much cheaper than buying the items separately. It's only missing the bible of canning, the Ball Blue Book.

You will never need anything else except jars & lids (and the jars are reusable)!

The complete list of canners is on these pages:

• Water bath canners - Good for acidic foods, like applesauce, pickles, salsa, jams, jellies, most fruits
• Pressure canners - needed for low and non-acidic foods, like canned vegetables (corn, green beans, etc), and meats
• Canners for glass top stoves if you have a glass or ceramic stove
• Canners for induction stovetops

 

Pressure Canners

If you plan on canning non-acidic foods and low acid foods that are not pickled - this means: meats, seafood, soups, green beans corn, most vegetables, etc., then you ABSOLUTELY must use a Pressure Canner.

Of course, you can use a pressure canner as a water bath canner as well - just don't seal it up, so it does not pressurize. This means a Pressure Canner is a 2-in-1 device. With it, you can can almost ANYTHING.

There are also other supplies, accessories, tools and more canners, of different styles, makes and prices, click here!

Basic Canning Accessories

From left to right:

1. Jar lifting tongs to pick up hot jars
2. Lid lifter - to remove lids from the pot of boiling water (sterilizing )
3. Lids- disposable - you may only use them once
4. Ring - holds the lids on the jar until after the jars cool - then you remove them, save them and reuse them
5. Canning Jar funnel - to fill the jars

Strainers

These are very useful for making sauces like applesauce, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, jellies, etc. Below are my favorites. The complete list is on these pages:

• Strainers, pit removers, seed-skin-stem removers, jelly strainers, etc. All types, makes and prices (from $19 to $350)
• Selecting a KitchenAid mixer and attachments for home canning

Inexpensive Old School Strainers: hand cranked Foley Food Mills

• The hand-cranked Foley food mill (see this page or clock the ad box) has been used for well over 100 years in homes all over America (and variants around the world). It is effective and inexpensive, and ideal for small batches.  However, if you need to make many quarts, you will sure end up with tunnel carpel syndrome or some other repetitive strain injury.

Norpro 1951 Manual Food Strainer and other brand stariners, with optional motors; (almost identical to Victorio V250, Villaware and Roma models, all discontinued)

This is The next step up from the Foley food mill. First, it's far more ergonomic, and its handle is easier to use. Next, it works in continuous mode rather than batch mode. So you can do much larger volumes easily. Finally, It has an optional motor, so you can. remove the manual labor.  It also offers many different size strainers to use for different types of berries, vegetables and fruit.

See the seller's website for more information, features, pricing and user reviews!

• A Johnny, Weston or Oxo strainer (about $60 - $100, see further down the page) or
• This trainer is. simply a more upscale and improved version of the one above.
• See this page for more information, reviews, descriptions of other strainers and supplies or to order!

KitchenAid - Best Large Volume Strainers

If you're going to do large volumes of fruit or vegetables , or do it year after year, then. you really should think about getting a higher end kitchen. utility device. Kitchen aids are the cream of the crop. Once you buy one of these, you keep at the rest of your life and it gets handed down to the next generation. . My sister is using one she inherited from my mother 25 years ago, who got it in the 1940s as a wedding gift. So, although the initial cost is high, they literally last for many lifetime. So the cost on an annual basis is pretty trivial, especially when you consider the cost of therapy and treatment for. the repetitive strain injuries you will get from manual cranking day after day. Add to that of course the cost of therapy for the emotional injuries you'll get from going insane, standing there hand cranking something for hours.

KitchenAid's with a sieve/grinder (with the attachments, costs about $400, but it lasts a lifetime and is fast and easy to use - I can make 100 quart jars of applesauce per day with one of these).

 

FREE Illustrated Canning, Freezing, Jam Instructions and Recipes

Don't spend money on books. that you don't need to. Almost everything you can find in some book sold online or in a store is on my website here for free. Start with theEasy Home Canning Directions below. That is a master list of canning directions which are all based upon the Ball Bblue book, the National Center for Home Food Preservation and other reputable lab tested recipes. Almost every recipe I present in addition to being lab tested com. is in a step by step format with photos for each step and complete. explanations. that tell you how to do it, where to get the supplies and pretty much everything you need to know. In addition, there almost always in a PDF format so you can print them out and use them while you cook.

[ Easy Home Canning Directions]

[FAQs - Answers to common questions and problems]

[Recommended books about home canning, jam making, drying and preserving!]

[Free canning publications to download and print]