I Didn't Know That - Apples

According to the U.S. Apple Association, these are the top 10 varieties of apples produced in the U.S.

1.  Red Delicious is full-flavored, sweet taste and crisp texture.  They are best for fresh eating and snacking.
2. Golden Delicious have a smooth, sweet taste and tender texture.  They are best for eating raw, cutting up in salads and making applesauce, cider, pies or other desserts.
3. Galas are crisp and snappy with a mellow sweetness. They too are good for eating fresh or in salads and sauces.
4. Fuji is a sweet-tart apple that stays crisp for weeks.  The Fuji is a good all-purpose apple that’s best for fresh eating, salads and applesauce.
5. Granny Smiths are crisp with a sour apple flavor.  They are probably the best all-purpose apple.
6. McIntosh apples are juicy with lightly tart flavor and fresh apple aroma.  They are great in applesauce, cider, salads or for fresh eating.  They can also be used in pies.
7. Rome apples are mild, sweet flavored and have a firm texture.  They are mostly used for baking.
8. Ida Red has a tangy-tart flavor that is good for sauces, pies and desserts
9. Jonathans have a juicy flavor with a spicy tang and tender texture.  Their main use is for fresh eating and cooking
10. Empires are sweet-tart in taste and extra crispy.  Great for fresh-cut slices, candy and caramel apples, baking and make great lunch-box snacks.
    Apple facts –

1. Apples are fat-free, sodium-free and cholesterol-free.
2. Apples are a great source of fiber.  One medium apple has 5 grams or 20% of the daily fiber requirements
3. Whenever possible, don’t peel the apple.  Two-thirds of the fiber and many of the antioxidants are found in the apple’s peel.
4. Prepare apple dishes just before serving to minimize browning.  You can also protect cut apples from browning by dipping them in a solution of one part citrus juice and three parts water.
5. Fruit bowls are beautiful, but they’re not the best way to store apples.  To maintain their crispness, keep apples refrigerated.
6. Buy shiny apples.  If they appear dull, they won’t be crisp and tasty.
7. Store apples away from vegetables with strong odors.  The odors will alter the flavor of the apple.
8. Jonathan apples have a white flesh that maintains its shape well during baking and cooking.
9. Rome Beauty apples cook up quickly and are great for making applesauce or apple butter.
10. Golden Delicious apples are best in salads because they don’t darken after slicing.   They also give apple pies a tangy-sweet taste.