15 Popular Apple Varieties Ranked: The Best One Is Tart & Sweet

Apples have been a beloved fruit for centuries, with countless varieties cultivated for different flavors, textures, and uses. Whether you’re a fan of sweet, tart, or crunchy, there’s an apple variety for every preference.

After tasting 15 of the most popular apple varieties available in the United States, I’ve narrowed down the best for snacking, baking, and cooking. Let’s explore how these apples compare and which one stands out as the perfect blend of tart and sweet.

A Breakdown Of 15 Popular Apple Varieties

Each apple variety has unique qualities in terms of appearance, texture, and flavor. Here’s a closer look at the apples I tried:

Apple Variety	Appearance	Taste	Best For
Red Delicious	Dark red, shiny	Bland, mealy texture	Snacking
Granny Smith	Neon green	Tart, acidic	Baking, snacking
Gingergold	Chartreuse, matte	Watery, crisp	Snacking
Jonagold	Red and golden	Bland, mealy	Baking
Envy	Bright red, striped	Earthy, soft	Snacking
Pink Lady	Rosy pink	Juicy, earthy	Snacking
Honeycrisp	Yellow-red	Sweet, soft	Baking, applesauce
Kiku	Green-red	Mild, juicy	Snacking
Rave	Shiny red, striped	Sweet, soft	Snacking
SweeTango	Fiery pink	Tart, citrusy	Snacking
Cosmic Crisp	Red-brown	Mild, crisp	Snacking
Gala	Pink-red, golden	Mild, crunchy	Baking, snacking
Jazz	Bright red, speckled	Sweet, acidic	Snacking
Paula Red	Speckled red-green	Bright, tart	Snacking, applesauce
Cortland	Deep red, green	Tart-sweet, juicy	Snacking, baking

The Best Apple: Cortland

After trying all 15 varieties, the Cortland apple stood out as the best overall apple. It strikes the perfect balance between tartness and sweetness, making it incredibly versatile for both snacking and baking. Its deep red appearance with a neon green blush is appealing, and the flesh remains crisp and white even after cutting, resisting browning.

Taste Profile: Cortland apples are juicy and fruity with a hint of astringency, giving them a fresh and satisfying bite. The perfect blend of tartness and sweetness means they work beautifully in salads or pies.

Best For: Due to its balance of flavors and texture, Cortland apples are great for snacking and baking alike. Whether you’re biting into one raw or turning it into a pie filling, you won’t be disappointed.

The Sweetest Apple: Honeycrisp

The Honeycrisp apple is incredibly popular for its large size and ultra-sweet taste. Its honey-flavored flesh is soft and sweet, making it ideal for creating applesauce or using in desserts.

Taste Profile: Honeycrisp has a distinct honeyed flavor, almost too sweet for some, but perfect for those who love a sugary treat.

Best For: Due to its sweetness, this apple is best for baking, applesauce, or adding to fruit salads.

The Tartest Apple: Granny Smith

When it comes to tartness, Granny Smith is the clear winner. This apple’s bright, grassy flavor makes it perfect for baking in pies or tarts, where its acidity balances with sugar for a perfect bite.

Taste Profile: Sharp, tangy, and acidic, Granny Smith apples provide a bold, tart flavor.

Best For: Ideal for baking, the tartness of Granny Smith apples adds depth to desserts, but they’re also refreshing when eaten fresh for those who prefer sour flavors.

The Crunchiest Apple: Gala

Gala apples are known for their hard, crisp texture, which holds up well in a variety of dishes. They are mildly sweet and not overpowering, which makes them a versatile apple for both snacking and cooking.

Taste Profile: Gala apples have a mellow sweetness with a firm, crunchy bite.

Best For: These apples are perfect for snacking or baking, especially in pies and tarts where a firmer apple is needed.

The Most Unique Apple: SweeTango

SweeTango offers an exciting flavor combination that balances tart and citrusy notes. Its initial tangy flavor is bright and zesty, and the texture is slightly drying, keeping you reaching for more.

Taste Profile: Zesty, tart, and refreshing with citrus undertones, SweeTango apples have a uniquely bold flavor.

Best For: Snacking. These apples are delicious fresh, providing a bold flavor that’s hard to beat.

Conclusion:

With so many apple varieties to choose from, it’s hard to go wrong, but the Cortland apple comes out on top for its balanced flavor and versatility. Whether you’re looking for the tartness of Granny Smith, the sweetness of Honeycrisp, or the crunch of Gala, there’s an apple for every occasion.

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