Crunch time: Apples in autumn

Given that there are thousands of named varieties of apples out there, it’s fortunate that certain ones have ‘bobbed to the top’ of popularity. Each is distinctive in size, colour, texture, country of origin and – most important of all – flavour.

It’s a case of ‘horses for courses’ when choosing which variety to eat or cook with. To help you choose the right apple for the job, here’s an A to Z of apples available in our supermarkets and greengrocers.

Bramley’s Seedling
Commonly just called Bramley, this variety is the most popular and best selling cooking apple in Britain. Large, green and slightly irregular in shape, Bramley’s soften quickly when cooked, making them the one to choose for apple sauce and purées. They are on the ‘tart’ side so usually need a bit of sugar added.

Cox’s Orange Pippin
There are a number of ‘pippins’ but Cox’s have emerged as Britain’s favourite. They have a crisp texture, are acidic, but also sweet, and are at home in baked dishes as well as on a cheese board.

DeliciousThe best-known and best-selling American apple, this variety is a deep red and has a long, rather than plump shape. It has a sweet flavour, but because of a lack of natural acid, is rather insipid.

Flower of KentHard to find and mainly forgotten, this apple is interesting in that it’s said to be the variety that (while falling) inspired Sir Isaac Newton’s law of gravity.

Over the page: Golden Delicious