Comparing apples to apples is more complicated than the idiom suggests.
In fact, the fruit is multifaceted and complex. There are about 7,500 varieties of apples grown around the world, and 2,500 varieties just in the United States.
"Because there are so many apple varieties, each with their own unique flavor profile, texture and best uses, there's really an apple for everyone," said Julie Bancroft, executive director of PA Apple Marketing Program.
Apples in Pennsylvania, which is the nation's fourth-largest producer, are harvested between mid-August and mid-November. That being said, varieties such as 'Red Delicious,' 'Golden Delicious,' 'McIntosh,' 'Jonagold' and 'Cameo' can be purchased year-round because they are stored in controlled environments that maintain their freshness, Bancroft said.
Here's a look at the best time to buy particular varieties of apples:
Early-season (August):
_ 'Gala' is one of the most popular types of apple. With a skin tinted in places with yellow-gold shades, it is a mix between 'Kid's Orange Red' and 'Golden Delicious.' The crunchy 'Gala' is sweet and has a mild taste. It is best enjoyed fresh as a snack, in salads or paired with cheese and meats. It also holds up well in baking and cooking.
_ 'Ginger Gold' surfaced in the 1960s from an accidental seedling and represents a cross between 'Golden Delicious' and 'Albemarle Pippin' varieties. It is sweet, yet tart and juicy, and lends itself well for snacking and baking, as well as in salads, pies and sauces.
_ 'Summer Rambo' originated in France and represents one of the oldest varieties. It embodies an aromatic, sweet-tart flavor and is crisp with a very juicy flesh. It's a wonderful choice for applesauce as well as for snacking and cooking, and typically is picked in late July or early August.
Midseason (September/October):
_ 'Jonagold' was introduced in 1968 by Cornell University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, N.Y. It's a cross between 'Golden Delicious' and 'Jonathan' varieties. It's crisp while showcasing a honey-tart flavor, making it ideal for snacking and baking. It's harvested in September.
_ 'Granny Smith' was discovered by Maria Ann "Granny" Smith in Eastwood, Australia, in 1868. It was propagated through a chance seedling and is considered to be related to the 'French Crab.' October is the best month to buy it. Being tart, crisp and juicy, it's great for snacking, baking, salads and sauces.
_ 'Honeycrisp' was pioneered in 1991 by the University of Minnesota. It is sweet, tart and very crisp, and works best as a snack or in salads. It is harvested in September.
_ 'Rome' was coined via a chance breeding by Joel Gillet on the banks of the Ohio River in 1817. The variety was initially called 'Gillett's Seedling' but was renamed the 'Rome Beauty' in 1832. It has a somewhat tart flavor profile, with a firm, crisp and juicy flesh. It's picked in October and holds up well in baking and applesauce.
_ 'Stayman' is the product of a chance seedling discovered by J. Stayman in Kansas in 1866 and introduced in 1895. It is harvested in October, and has a mildly tart and rich flavor profile similar to 'Winesap.' It is an all-purpose apple great for snacking, baking or sauce.
Late-season (November):
_ 'Pink Lady' was created in Australia as a cross between 'Lady Williams' and 'Golden Delicious' varieties. Preferred for snacking, salads and pies, the crisp apple is both sweet and tart in taste. It's best in November.
