Ohio Apple Varieties : What is good for baking?

Ohio is a GREAT place to live if you like apples. Who doesn’t? To me, apples are one of the most versatile fruits around. You can make an endless variety of desserts, sauces, jellies…or just eat them raw. Apples are truly incredible. If you saw my post a couple of weeks ago on apple orchards, you’ll know that it’s harvest time. Ohio produces 40 different kinds of apples and 11 of them are staples at almost every Ohio orchard. I call them the “magnificent 11” after researching the best ways to use them. Since we all have an opinion about which apples are best for the task at hand, I’ve included my favorite list as well. Enjoy!

Meredith’s List:
Best apple to eat: Granny Smith – cause I love tart!
Best apple to bake a pie: Cortland
Best apples to make sauce: Mix McIntosh and Jonagold

The Magnificent 11:

Cortland
Developed in Cortland, New York
This apple is tart and spicy
Best Uses: raw, baking, sauce

Crispin  or “Mutsu”
Developed in Japan and is a cross between Golden Delicious and Indo
This firm apple is spicy
Best Uses: raw, sauce

Golden Delicious
Developed in West Virginia, but not related to the Red Delicious
This apple is soft and sweet
Best Uses: raw, baking, sauce

Red Delicious
Developed in Iowa and the most widely used apple in the world.
This apple is sweet and rich
Best Uses: raw

Fuji
Developed in Japan (hence the name!)
This apple is hard and sweet
Best Uses: raw, sauce

Gala
Developed in New Zealand cousin to Golden Declicious
This apple has a hard and sweet
Best Uses: raw, dried

Granny Smith
Developed in Australia by a granny named Maria Smith. Ha!
This apple is hard and tart
Best Uses: raw, baking, sauce

Jonagold
Cross between Golden Delicious and Jonathan
This apple is hard and sweet
Best Uses: raw, sauce, baking

Rome
Developed right here in Rome Township, Ohio!
This apple is hard and subtle
Best Uses: sauce

McIntoch
Developed in Upper Canada
This apple is soft and spicy
Best Uses: sauce

Stayman
Developed in Kansas
This firm apple is tart and spicy
Best Uses: baking

Learn more about the Baking Equipment and Tools that I love.