Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Popular Ingredients 9 Types of Apples Everyone Should Know Because life’s too short to settle for Red Delicious. By Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 26, 2023 Medically reviewed by Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN Medically reviewed by Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN is a nationally recognized nutrition expert with over 16 years of experience in culinary nutrition and communications. Learn More Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Fun fact: There are more than 750 varieties of apples in the world, and more than 100 types of apples exist in the United States alone. And come fall, we're here for every single one of them. There's nothing quite as satisfying as the first bite into a sweet, juicy, freshly picked apple. But here's the thing: Not all apple types are meant to be eaten out-of-hand. Some are best for baking into pies and tarts; others pair perfectly with savory dishes like pork chops or sausage. And while apple cider cocktails don't actually always contain whole apples, there is a certain kind of apple that makes the best cider. Here, we've covered the most popular types of apples in America—plus how they taste, look, and where to find them. Take a look at our apple variety chart, and read on for more info on your favorite kinds. Happy crunching! Yeji Kim 01 of 09 Fuji Yeji Kim Aptly named after Mount Fuji, this perfect-for-snacking variety was originally developed during the 1930s in Japan and didn't make its way to the United States until the 1980s. Fujis are distinguished by their crisp texture, sweet flavor, and striped red-and-yellow skin. They're made by crossing Red Delicious with Ralls Janet apples. 02 of 09 Red Delicious Yeji Kim Red Delicious apples originated in Iowa during the 1870s. If you look up "apple" in the dictionary, you'll likely find a picture of a Red Delicious, as they're the most popular variety in the U.S. Their iconic red skin, wide top, and footed bottoms are best for chopping up and mixing into dishes raw, like salad. 03 of 09 Honeycrisp Yeji Kim If apples were in high school, Honeycrisps would be on the varsity football team or would win prom queen (or both). This super popular variety is prized for its extra sweet and juicy flavor, explosive crispness, and reddish-yellow color. Honeycrisps are perfect for eating as is, tossing into salads, or making into sauces. RELATED: Baking the Perfect Pie Is Easy—So Long as You Follow These 7 Essential Steps 04 of 09 Granny Smith Yeji Kim Almost as popular as Red Delicious, this is the go-to bright green apple of the bunch. Granny Smiths originated in Australia and have a super tart taste and crisp, firm texture. Some relish the sour taste, while others might prefer to bake it into a sweet(er) dessert, or cook them down into a savory dish. 05 of 09 Golden Delicious Yeji Kim This type gets its name from its bright, yellow-green skin and mild, buttery flavor. Golden Delicious apples are softer on the inside and thin-skinned, so they're prone to bruising or shrivelling in storage. Eat them quickly instead. They're best for baking into pies, making sauces, and work fairly well for freezing. 06 of 09 McIntosh Yeji Kim Even softer than Golden Delicious, McIntosh apples are creamy (and a bit mealy) on the inside, which makes them a great option for being cooked down into applesauce or soup. They have a juicy, tart-and-tangy flavor, deep red skin, and bright white interior. Because McIntosh apples lack firmness, you'll need additional thickener if you choose to bake with them. RELATED: The 6 Best Practices for Baking With Fruit, According to a Cookbook Author 07 of 09 Cortland Yeji Kim Cortland apples are similar to McIntosh in shape (round and squat) and taste (creamy and tart). But because they're not quite as soft as McIntoshes, you can bake or cook with them, or eat them raw. Cortlands are known for browning a bit slower than other types, so they're a smart option if you'll be slicing and serving them as a snack or in a salad. 08 of 09 Empire Yeji Kim These popped up in the "Empire State" of New York in 1966 after the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station crossed a Red Delicious apple with a McIntosh. They're juicy, firm, and deliciously sweet. Eat Empires as a snack or for cooking or baking. 09 of 09 Gala Yeji Kim Galas have a unique tall but small shape. They're also lighter in color than most—the red on the outside gets shown up by the bright yellow-orange undertones. Their mild, sweet, crisp flavor makes them ideal for snacking (especially for kids) or cooking. RELATED: 45 Festive, Flavorful Apple Recipes to Make This Fall Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit