Apples
Our Apple varieties include:
Paula Red
One of the earliest varieties, available from late August into October. Paula Reds say welcome to Fall with their tart taste.
Characteristics:
* Tart
* Juicy
* Crisp white flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating
* Good for applesauce
Hint:
* Paula Red applesauce needs little or no sugar.
MacIntosh
People have enjoyed the aromatic fragrance of McIntosh apples since 1811 when John McIntosh discovered the first seedling. New York's cool climate is particularly well suited to growing McIntosh apples. McIntosh are available from September through June.
Characteristics:
* Sweet with a tart tang
* Very juicy
* Tender, white flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating and sauce
* Good for salads and pies
Hint:
* McIntosh's tender flesh cooks down quickly. Add a thickener if making a pie.
Gala
A new variety developed in New Zealand. Gala's mild flavor make it a great choice for kids. Its striking bright yellow-red color is eye catching! Available from September through June.
Characteristics:
* Mild sweet flavor
* Juicy
* Crisp, creamy yellow flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating and salads
Hint:
* Galas' size, mellow flavor and thin skin make them a perfect choice for kids.
Honey Crisp
Introduced in Minnesota in 1991, this variety continues to grow in popularity. Honeycrisp apples are honey sweet and amazingly crisp. Supplies are limited for now but more Honeycrisp trees are being planted every year. Available September through February. 
Characteristics:
* Complex sweet-tart flavor
* Juicy
* Super crisp yellow flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating and salads
* Good for sauce, baking & pies
Hint:
* A great way to encourage healthy snacking, this ultra crisp apple appeals to teens.
Cortland
Developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva in 1898, the Cortland is a great all purpose apple. This beautiful snow white apple is perfect for fruit salads. Cortlands are available September through April.
Characteristics:
* Sweet with a hint of tartness
* Juicy
* Tender, snow white flesh
Best Uses:
* Good for freezing
* Excellent for eating, salads, sauce, pies and baking
Hint:
* Cortland apples don't turn brown quickly when cut, so they are wonderful for kabobs, fruit plates and garnishes.
Macoun
Named for a famous Canadian fruit breeder, this special apple was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva in 1932. Only available in the Fall (October through November), Macoun apples make an excellent no-fat dessert.
Characteristics:
* Extra sweet and aromatic
* Very juicy
* Tender, snow white flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating
* Good for sauce and salads
Hint:
* Try serving Macoun slices with cheese for a sophisticated dessert in the autumn.
Red Delicious
Red Delicious apples are mildly sweet and are grown across the country. New York's Red Delicious stand out from the others with their slight tartness. They are available from October through September.
Characteristics:
* Sweet
* Juicy
* Crisp, yellow flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating and salads
Hint:
*Red Delicious apples look great for a long time so they are the favored choice for holiday centerpieces and wreaths.
Empire
The offspring of the popular Red Delicious and McIntosh, Empire apples are a sweet-tart combination that's great for everything. This variety was first introduced at the 1966 New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. Available September through August.
Characteristics:
* A wonderful blend of sweet and tart
* Juicy
* Very crisp, creamy white flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating and salads
* Good for sauce, baking, pies and freezing
Hint:
* Kids love Empire's sweet-tart taste and super crunchy texture. This makes small Empires perfect for school lunches.
Golden Delicious
Related to the popular Red Delicious apple in name only, this honey sweet apple is a special treat all on its own.
Characteristics:
* Juicy
* Mild sweet flavor
* Crisp, light yellow flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating, salads and sauce
* Good for pies, baking and freezing
Hint:
* You can cut down the sugar in pies and sauces made from Golden Delicious apples.
JonaGold
The Jonagold is another apple developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. It is a cross between the mellow Golden Delicious and the tart Jonathan. Jonagolds are excellent for baking. They are available October through May. 
Characteristics:
* Honey sweet with a hint of tartness
* Juicy
* Crisp, creamy yellow flesh
Best Uses:
* Good for pies and freezing
* Excellent for eating, salads, sauce and baking
Hint:
* Jonagolds are terrific for making fried apples. Simply sauté in a little butter and add a dash of cinnamon. No sugar needed!
Crispin/Mutsu
Originally named Matsu, reflecting its Japanese heritage, this apple was renamed Crispin in the late 1960s. It has been gaining fans ever since for its great crunch and sweet, juicy flavor. Available October through September. 
Characteristics:
* Sweet yet very refreshing
* Very juicy
* Super crisp
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating, sauce, baking and freezing
* Good for salads and pies
Hint:
*Crispins are a wonderful accompaniment for your favorite roast or roasted whole or in thick slices.
Stayman
This versatile, sweet tasting apple is available from October through April.
Characteristics:
* Sweet
Best Uses:
* Good for eating, salads, and sauce.
* Excellent for baking.
Hint:
* Not available in supermarkets, look for Staymans at your local roadside market.
Rome
This old time variety is widely grown in New York State, but originated in Ohio in 1816. Romes are superb cooking apples that retain their shape beautifully. Their tart flavor is a wonderful accompaniment for pork chops. Romes are available from late October through September. 
Characteristics:
* Mildly tart
* Firm, greenish white flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for sauce, baking and pies
* Good for salad and freezing
Hint:
* Combine Romes with a sweet apple such as Golden Delicious for tasty applesauce.
Ida Red
The Ida Red is a cross between two old time New York apples, the Jonathan and Wagener. Developed in Idaho, they were first raised in Penn Yan in 1791. Ida Reds hold their shape perfectly and are ideal for making baked apples. Available October through August. 
Characteristics:
* Juicy
* Sweetly tart
* Firm pale yellow-green flesh, sometimes tinted rosy pink
Best Uses:
* Excellent for sauce, cooking, baking and pies
* Good for eating, salads and freezing
Hint:
* Ida Reds make a beautiful pink applesauce. Cook the apples with the skins on and strain the sauce to get the best pink color.
Cameo
The Cameo is a bright red striped apple with a creamy orange color. A firm and crisp apple, it has a thin skin with a sweet tart flavor. The Cameo makes a great fresh eating apple. Available from late October through April. 
Characteristics:
* Tart sweet flavor
* Crispy
Best Uses:
* Fresh eating
* Excellent for salads, pies, sauce and baking
Fuji
A great snacking apple, the Fuji is super sweet, juicy and crisp. The offspring of American parents, the Red Delicious and Ralls Janet, an antique apple that goes back to Thomas Jefferson in 1793, this Japanese apple is now grown in New York. Fujis are available October through June.
Characteristics:
* Very sweet
* Very juicy
* Very crisp, cream colored flesh
Best Uses:
* Excellent for eating and salads
* Good for sauce
Hint:
* Fuji applesauce needs little or no sugar.
Fortune
The Fortune apple is a cross between a Red Spy and Empire apple. It has a slightly spicy flavor. Available late October through June.
Characteristics:
* Crsip with a spicy flavor
Best Uses:
* Excellent for pies and sauce
* Good for fresh eating
Hint:
* For a tasty applesauce, combine Fortune apples with a sweet apple such as Golden Delicious.
Crab Apple
The crab apple is striking yellow and has a vivid red to maroon characteristic blush. Its sharp, astringent taste is mainly used for cooking. The crab apple is a suitable choice, if a sour apple taste is preferred.
Characteristics:
* Firm and hard
* Sharp, astringent taste
Best Uses:
* Great when cooked down into purees and sauces, jams or jellies.
Lady Apple
Sweet apple, excellent for eating and decorating. Available from November through December only at roadside markets. One of the earliest varieties of apples in existence.
Characteristics:
* Sweet and crispy
Best Uses:
* Fresh eating or salads.
* Perfect for decorating
Hint:
Cinnamon and nutmeg absolutely love this apple. For a yummy treat, core apples and insert one or two brown sugar cubes in the apple. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 35 minutes. Let cool slightly and enjoy.
Photos are courtesy of the New York Apple Association