There’s nothing quite like biting into a sweet, crisp, tart, and juicy apple. Apples are the epitome of American culture, just like baseball and, well, apple pie. Apples are delicious whether you eat them right off the tree or turn them into a delicious dessert. They’re even better covered in chocolate, like our Chocolate Dipped Apple Wedges, which are absolutely irresistible. There are dozens of different varieties of apples on the market today, each with their own taste and texture. Read on to learn more about each of the most popular types of apples, and you just might discover your new favorite.
Apple Cultivation in the U.S.
There are more than 100 apple varieties grown in the United States today, but only about a dozen are typically found in supermarkets. Ranging from the tart and tangy to the spectacularly sweet, apples come in a wide array of flavors, shapes, sizes, and colors. As modern farming practices have grown, apples have been cultivated for different qualities, such as shape, taste, and high production yield.
Apples have also been cultivated for their resistance to pests and disease. In late 1800s, there were more than 700 varieties of apples, but the number of varieties grown has continuously been on the decline since then in favor of the hardiest varieties. Recently, however, people have become more interested in “heirloom” varieties, and you can find unique blends and variations at local farmers markets and orchards. However, the old “tried and true” favorites aren’t going anywhere any time soon, and you can still enjoy any of the dozen most popular apple varieties any time you’d like.
Top 10 Types of Apples
Here are the top ten types of apples in the United States, along with their unique characteristics and best uses. Perhaps you can find a new favorite variety to enjoy.
1. Fuji
Fuji apples are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their ultra sweet, crisp texture. They’re a cross between Ralls Janet and Red Delicious. They’re typically pink with yellow and green speckles or stripes.
2. McIntosh
McIntosh apples are deep red with green patches. They’re juicy, tangy, and tart with a tender texture. They’re great for making applesauce or just slicing up and eating on their own.
3. Red Delicious
Red Delicious apples are aptly named – beautiful red, almost crimson in color. They’re mildly sweet with a light crispness. Once one of the most popular apple varieties, it has been slowly declining in favor of other varieties, like Gala and Fuji.
4. Gala
A cross between Kidd’s Orange Red and Golden Delicious, the Gala apple is quickly becoming one of the country’s favorites. Crisp, juicy, and sweet, Gala is the perfect apple for snacking and slicing in to salads.
5. Braeburn
Braeburn apples are crisp, without being hard, and very juicy. They have a distinctive spicy-sweet flavor that’s completely unique. They’re perfect for snacking or baking into pies.
6. Honeycrisp
True to its name, the Honeycrisp apple has a mild honey flavor and an unparalleled crispness. Their distinctive yellow coloring topped with red and pink is easy to spot. Thanks to their crispy texture and crunchy flesh, they’re perfect for snacking – just as is.
7. Jonagold
A blend of Jonathan and Golden Delicious, the Jonagold apple is yellow with large flushes of red. They’re large apples with a sweet and slightly acidic taste. They’re crisp with gleaming white flesh and perfect for baking or eating.
8. Granny Smith
Perhaps the most easily identifiable apple out there, the Granny Smith is extremely popular, and with good reason. It’s firm with a strong tart flavor that works well in pies, applesauce, or just as is. They’re also our favorite variety for covering in creamy gourmet chocolate. (Give it a try with our Apple Dipped Fruit™ Cone Snack!)
9. Golden Delicious
With a mildly sweet flavor and a distinctive yellow color, the Golden Delicious is extremely popular for a reason. It’s great for baking into pies and crisps, adding to salads, or eating just on its own.
10. Rome
One of the best cooking and baking apples around, the Rome apple retains it shape and texture when cooked much better than nearly every other variety. Rome apples have a crispy, mild flavor. They’re delicious for eating, but are mainly intended for cooking.
If you’re looking for a tasty apple treat, look no further than our Apple Daisy® arrangement, featuring apple wedges covered in semisweet chocolate, strawberries, and grapes, topped off with an apple-shaped pineapple slice.
FAQs about Types of Apples
How many different kinds of apples are there?
There are more than 7,500 varieties of apples grown around the world. However, only a fraction of these are commercially available, while others might be found in local orchards, home gardens, or heirloom collections. There are about 2,500 apple varieties grown in the U.S.
What are the 5 most popular types of apples?
The popularity of apple varieties can vary by region and over time. Some of the most popular apple varieties include:
- Red Delicious
- Granny Smith
- Gala
- Fuji
- Honeycrisp
What are the 10 sweetest apples?
Sweetness can be subjective and can vary based on ripeness and growing conditions. However, the following varieties are known for having a high sugar content and are generally considered some of the sweetest:
- Honeycrisp
- Fuji
- Kiku
- Gala
- Red Delicious
- Golden Delicious
- Ambrosia
- Pink Lady (or Cripps Pink)
- Jonagold
- Envy
- Opal
What are the rarest apples?
An apple’s rarity is typically based on how infrequently it’s grown, but the apples that are considered rare may vary by region. Further complicating matters is the fact that new apple varieties are developed frequently, and new varieties start out as rare until they gain popularity.
The Black Diamond apple is considered the rarest apple in the world. These apples are from the Chinese Red Delicious (also known as Hua Niu) family. They have a dark purple skin with white flesh.
