New England Apple Harvest: Which Ones to Buy and when to Pick

Well, it's almost fall in New England, and that can only mean one thing: apples! But which apples to pick for the job can be tricky. That's where I come in.

New England harvests over 30 varieties of apples each year, with the most common varieties being MacIntosh, Cortland, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious. Some other varieties include: Royal Gala, Mutzu, Ginger Gold, Macoun, Honey Crisp, Baldwin, Pippin, Rome Beauty, Northern Spy, Paula Red and Jersey Mac. Visit your local apple orchard or farmer's market to ask questions, sample and pick your own delicious fall fruit!

New Englanders start picking their first apples around the second week in August, belive it or not. The first picked apples can be very hard and tart, most are not sweet. This is also the reason why if you buy fresh apple cider early in the season it can taste a bit different than if you were to buy it a few weeks later. Many people enjoy the first apples picked, many locals cannot wait for the first crop to be picked. But if you ask me, mid September is prime for the apple crop. By then, almost all varieties will be out in full swing, and you will have a much bigger selection.

Probably the most common question among apple pickers is what apple is good if you want to make an apple pie. You really want to pick a nice firm apple. Cortlands are an old favorite. They keep their shape nicely and are rather sweet. Rome Beauty and Northern Spy are also commonly used.

If you want to make an apple sauce, however, MacIntosh would be the way to go. They're large, which makes it easy for peeling, and they're a relatively soft apple, which makes the cooking process a little quicker. They're also naturally sweet, which will make your sauce extra yummy!

Here are a few common apples that should be easy to find. Listed is what you want to look for and suggestions for usage.

MacIntosh: Look for large round shape, free of bumps and bruises. Also, be aware of any soft spots on the fruit, as they can be brown in color when you cut them open. "Macs" are two-toned red and green, very juicy, mainly sweet, but slightly tart. They are good for cooking, especially applesauce, but are also wonderful to snack on.

Cortland: Cortlands are a relatively large apple. When buying, look for skin that is smooth and free of blemishes. They are red with yellow or green striping, and are very hard. Cortlands don't generally have a lot of flavor, which makes them ideal for cooking because they will take on the other flavors in the dish.

Red Delicious:

If you live near an apple orchard or farm stand, your best bet would be to buy your apples there. Not only will they be fresher than if you were to buy at the supermarket, but they will most likely be cheaper as well since you're buying dirctly from the source. Also, if you're buying the apples to cook, or you're on a budget, many orchards will offer "drops". These are the apples that literally dropped off the tree before they could be picked. Often, places will sell these apples at a fraction of the retail value. Ask at your local market if they offer dropped apples at a lower price. You may be pleasntly surprised.

If you want to pick your own apples, mid-September to early October is really a great time to go. It's a wonderful activity for the entire family, and is relatively inexpensive. Most orchards will offer pick your own apples for less than a dollar a pound. Call a few places and compare prices. Pack a picnic and make a day of it! Then go home and enjoy your apples all season!