Apples to Apples

The produce aisle this fall looks bountiful with its endless array of apples. But with so many types, how do you know which variety is best for your school lunch versus sliced into your apple pie recipe? From sweet & delicate, to crunchy & floral, to tart and tangy varieties, apples range in flavor and texture. There are so many types of apples to try during harvest time. And while some types of apples can only be found on a farm, thanks to entrepreneurial growers most grocery stores have a full 11 varieties in rotation. These tend to include Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, McIntosh, Rome, Fuji, Jonathan, York, Gala, Idared and my favorite, Pink Lady! Tho that's nothing compared to the 15,000 breeds once grown in the U.S., growers are reviving heirlooms and high-tech breeders are creating new strains for every taste. The following types of apples are just a sampling of the countless varieties you'll find in markets this fall. How many have you tried???