# I used to think all apples tasted the same. And then I discovered... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140 "2017-10-06T20:54:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/21 "2017-10-07T07:44:10Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Red Delicious is the worst. And look the best. That’s what they’re bred for. Otherwise, they’re okay but they go mealy very quickly. As for me, the only apples I don’t like are mealy ones but I do have favorites. Mine are Northern Spies and Winesaps but that’s only because I prefer sweet/sour tasting apples. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/22 "2017-10-07T12:23:38Z")
I also eat mostly honeycrisps these days (they are more expensive because growers have to pay a license (maybe not the right word) to the creator of the breed). It’s shame because Red Delicious apples became flavorless crap during my lifetime because, as someone said above, fruits are bred for durability more than taste now. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/23 "2017-10-07T13:16:29Z")
> [@glowacks](#): > > … > I’ve been leery about trying new kinds of apples… Um, there’s not much risk in buying ONE apple. Where does the leeriness come in? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/24 "2017-10-07T13:26:33Z")
I’ve started to prefer Ambrosia ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/25 "2017-10-07T13:29:14Z")
> [@allyn](#): > > I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Fuji apples…those are one of my favorites… Fujis are almost always available in this area, and are reasonably priced, unlike honeycrisps. They’re not quite as delicious as pink ladies, but they’re perfectly fine. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/26 "2017-10-07T16:33:25Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > I love the Macouns. From upstate New York, they’re a cold weather apple, the season runs October through November. You have to pick them after the first frost. . Good point. I bought a few Macouns this week, and they were mushy and unpleasant. The weather has been maintaining at 80 degrees and humid, with no rain. At this rate, the Macoun season will be finished before we get a frost. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/27 "2017-10-07T16:39:33Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Red Delicious is the worst. I cannot think of anything more inappropriately named. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/28 "2017-10-07T16:45:16Z")
I’ve been buying Envy apples recently from Costco, although I think they’re getting to the end of their season. I received a copy of [The Apple Lover’s Cookbook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FAD73UC/) for my birthday last year, and I love the table in the beginning that classifies all the different varieties of apples (except Red Delicious, which is specifically left out because they are so dreadful). ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/29 "2017-10-07T17:33:30Z")
I loves me some honeycrisps, pink ladies, fujis, it’s true. Lots of local orchards are nearby, and it’s fun to sample different varieties at each of them. I’ve discovered I’m partial to those 3. I’ve a few surviving apple trees on my farm, dating back to the days when every farm had a few fruit trees. I’m not sure what variety they produce, but it’s not real good eating. But I do hope they someday do locate the [Tinmouth](http://theweek.com/articles/587314/hunt-1-billion-apple) again. Even though it’s meant to be made into cider, I’d like to try it. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/30 "2017-10-07T17:48:57Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Red Delicious is the worst. Yes. One of the problems with them is that they get a nice red color long before they’re ripe, so can, and are, picked early. Sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. I think Red Delicious went a long way towards hurting the industry for a time. They took over too much of the volume, pushing out other varieties, and people eventually got tired of biting into a tasty looking apple that tasted like green wood. Even with transport being what it is today, it’s still hard to get a good apple some places. I have not had a good apple since I moved several years back. I used to love apples, but now I’m down to trying one or two every year and finding out they’re still disappointing. I was spoiled by an abundance of locally-grown fruit. MacIntosh apples for me. Tart and sweet all in one. Applesauce made from it is wonderful. Haven’t had that in several years either. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/31 "2017-10-07T18:16:17Z")
I was a Honeycrisp virign until about a year ago, and now that’s about all I buy. They are a bit pricy, but worth it. In fact, I think I’ll have one right now! ---
**Author:** ![bare](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bare/32/471_2.png) [@bare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bare)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/32 "2017-10-07T19:11:52Z")
Idaho deer apparently have discerning taste, since Honey Crisps were the first to go. Might have had something to do with the size of the tree though since it’s a youngster yet. I like many of the older varieties. MacIntosh, Winesaps are still favorites. I like to think of myself as a fruit explorer. This area has thousands of neglected fruit trees, many dating back a century or more. I can’t put a name to most of the varieties I come across, but the range of flavors, textures and utility never ceases to amaze me. This year, I came across apples that reminded me of a potato and another one that had shocked me with banana flavor! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/33 "2017-10-07T19:16:52Z")
I still like granny smith best, but they are so variable in quality. I think they are too often picked “green” (I know they are always green); does that explain it? And there seems to be general agreement that red delicious are dreadful. How did they ever get a market. I do like honey crisp, but they are really not tart enough. Some of our local apples (macintosh, for example) are also excellent. Granny smiths apparently don’t thrive this far north, so are all imported. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/34 "2017-10-07T20:08:22Z")
I, too, assumed the thread was about Honeycrisps before opening it. And when I did open it and confirmed it was, I went and grabbed a Honeycrisp to munch while reading the thread. 🙂 Honeycrisp is the only variety of apple that I would ever have a hankerin’ for. mmm ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/35 "2017-10-07T20:42:00Z")
Galas FTW for me. Pink Ladies are second. I didn’t know there is a difference between Cripps and Pink Ladies. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/36 "2017-10-07T20:57:12Z")
I’ve never seen Honeycrisp in the UK, though you can apparently buy trees for home growing. I wish you lot’d stop going on about them 😉 I’ve tried a lot of the more obscure old varieties, being interested in heritage fruit and living in England’s cider country, my favourite is probably ‘Pitmaston Pineapple’, which does taste quite pineappley. The fruit are tiny, just ping pong ball size most of the time. Great for a nibble. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/37 "2017-10-07T21:47:40Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I cannot think of anything more inappropriately named. Well they’re definitely red, so the name’s half right. How about ‘Red Unpalatable’? ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/38 "2017-10-07T21:57:22Z")
There used to be an apple tree across the lane from us that had the BEST apples. They were numinous eau-de-nil green, crisp but also juicy, and had just the right sweet/tart balance with a distinct overtone of ginger. The tree was growing in a forest tangle, so we felt free to help ourselves. The landowners cut it down this summer \>:( ---
**Author:** ![snuffleupagus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@snuffleupagus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snuffleupagus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/39 "2017-10-07T22:23:56Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > Pink Ladies are second. I didn’t know there is a difference between Cripps and Pink Ladies. There isn’t. Pink Lady is just a trademarked brand name, Cripps Pink is the ‘generic’ name. Fuji and Mutsu are two of my favorites. I also like Piñata and Opal. I tend to like sweeter apples with a little tart for balance, and they gotta be crisp. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140/40 "2017-10-07T22:43:03Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > I’ve never seen Honeycrisp in the UK, though you can apparently buy trees for home growing. I wish you lot’d stop going on about them 😉 > > I’ve tried a lot of the more obscure old varieties, being interested in heritage fruit and living in England’s cider country, my favourite is probably ‘Pitmaston Pineapple’, which does taste quite pineappley. The fruit are tiny, just ping pong ball size most of the time. Great for a nibble. The UK still HAS most of their old heritage apples, never having gone through the Red Delicious Blight. Or seen their apple farmers go mad with greed and devote their entire resources to one breed. You’ll get a fresh Honeycrisp eventually, but in the meantime enjoy what you’ve got! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-think-all-apples-tasted-the-same-and-then-i-discovered/798140.md?page=3)