Strolling down the fruit aisle and confused by the delightful amount of apple choices? Get them all, we say! But if you must pick one... red, green, yellow, speckled, or striped? With so many choices, it can feel like picking the right one requires a degree in fruitology. Fear not! Whether you fancy something sharp, sweet, or simply crisp, we’ve got the lowdown on some classic apple varieties to help you make an informed (and delicious) decision.
Did you know? There are over 7,500 different varieties of apples grown worldwide.. read about them all belo- just kidding. Read about 8 of them right here:
Bramley
Colour: Bright green, sometimes with faint red blushes.
Flavour Profile: Exceptionally sharp, tart and tangy, with a bold acidity that mellows when cooked.
Best Use: Perfect for crumbles and pies — it turns all soft and luscious when baked.
Golden Delicious
Colour: Golden yellow.
Flavour Profile: Sweet, rich, honeyed taste, some spicy notes of cinnamon and ginger.
Best Use: Brilliant for snacking, salads, and holding its shape in baking.
Cox’s Orange Pippin
Colour: Red-orange streaks over green or yellow skin.
Flavour Profile: British classic with complex nutty flavour
Best Use: A true gourmet’s choice for eating fresh or crafting cider.
Braeburn
Colour: Red with golden or orange undertones.
Flavour Profile: Crisp and juicy, perfectly balancing sweetness and sharpness, rich and complex.
Best Use: Great for both fresh munching and baking escapades.
Jonagold
Colour: Yellow-green with vibrant red blush.
Flavour Profile: Crisp sweet fruit with a strong apple flavour.
Best Use: Equally fab for snacking or making the fluffiest apple bakes.
Gala
Colour: Reddish-orange with yellow undertones.
Flavour Profile: Punchy sweet flavour with pear-like quality.
Best Use: Snacking perfection and ideal in fruit salads.
Pink Lady
Colour: Pinkish-red blush over yellow-green skin.
Flavour Profile: Crisp and zesty, with a delightful sweet-tart complexity.
Best Use: Perfect for snacking or serving up alongside a good cheddar.
Granny Smith
Colour: Bright green.
Flavour Profile: Boldly tart, crisp, and refreshing.
Best Use: A baker’s best friend for pies and tarts, plus fantastic for balancing sweet dishes.
Choosing the Right Apple for You
If you fancy a proper pucker, Bramley and Granny Smith will tickle your taste buds. If sweetness is your thing, grab a Gala or Jonagold. And for the bakers out there? Bramley, Jonagold, and Granny Smith are the holy trinity of heat-proof heroes.
Next time you're meandering through the supermarket, armed with this guide, you’ll be the apple aisle expert. Whether it’s for a luscious pie, a crisp salad, or just a juicy bite on the go, there’s an apple waiting to be your perfect pick.
Or, there's always our Pressed Cloudy Apple juice, made from a blend of Bramley, Golden Delicious, Cox's Orange Pippin, Braeburn, Jonagold and Gala - which has the aroma and flavour of fresh apples (I mean, you'd hope so with six varieties in there!) - bright, perfumed, floral, nutty and complex, A good balance between acidity and sweetness. What more could you want from a pressed apple juice? After all, Life's Best Pressed.