It’s autumn which means it is apple season! Two of Dorset’s best loved exports, cider and Dorset Apple Cake, contain this versatile fruit as ingredients, so we’ve put together a few tips so you can truly enjoy this very British of fruits.
Whether you grow them yourselves or buy them from local traders, the first thing about keeping apples tasting their best is the storage. While it is customary to keep them in a fruit bowl where they are accessible at all times, its actually better to keep them in a bag in the fridge. Did you know apples can be frozen too? To freeze them, slice and blanch and then freeze in an even layer to firm up before storing them in freezer bags.
Whenever you buy or pick apples, make sure to keep an eye on them once they are home, apples can turn very quickly, so it is important to get rid of any that are going bad as soon as you notice it.
So many different flavours
Apples are incredibly versatile because each variety has its own unique flavour giving you plenty of options when adding them to your dishes. Knowing the difference between the apples that are available will give you a better idea of what you can pair them with. Eating apples are generally sweeter and the flavour varies and keep their shape when cooked, making them ideal for tarts, cakes and other bakes. Cooking apples, are larger and have a much more tart and sour flavour which mellows after being cooked.
Struggle with apples starting to brown before you’re finished with the prep? Put your cut apple into a bowl of water with a squirt of lemon juice – it’ll keep it nice and fresh!
To help you when cooking with apples, here is a brief low down on some of the more popular varieties.
Bramley
This is the most common kind of cooking apple you’ll find. When cooked, these have a melt in the mouth texture and their sharp flavour works well in sweet dishes. Use these for pies, crumbles or turning into a sauce.
Braeburn
These are juicy and have a tangy flavour. Out of all the apples that are available, Braeburns are the most popular. Though an eating apple, they can work well in some recipes, especially with pork sausages or in stuffing.
Pink Ladies
These apples originated in Australia and are recognisable by their pinkish appearance. These are sweet and have an almost fizzy texture. Though not recommended for cooking, they do work well in a salad, especially when paired with blue cheese.
Golden Delicious
Another sweet tasting apple, these have a greeny-yellow appearance and a crisp white flesh. If you’re a fan of overnight oats or flapjack, these work well in overnight oats or with flapjack, especially when paired with some raisins and a dash of cinnamon. Yum!
Granny Smith
These apples are very sharp and crisp and are instantly recognisable by their bright green exterior. Because of their crisp flavour, they work well in both sweet and savoury dishes and are delightful when added to a coleslaw!
Gala
Galas are the red apples that you see and are the ones most often used as toffee apples. They have a sweet flavour and a firm texture and are perfect for combining with autumnal spices and toffee.
Make sure to check out our recipe pages for apple inspiration this autumn!
