From storage to cooking try these suggestions to make the most of your apples

What are the best apples to use for a great pie?
A much debated question, but as a rule pie baking apples need to be full of flavour, firm but not over juicy, and should be able to 'stay together' when cooked. Bramley and Royal Gala will both work well.

How do I grow my own apple tree?
Wrap some paper towel around the inside of a drinking glass, and put your seeds between the glass and the paper towel. Keep the paper towel moist! You should have sprouts in a month then plant the sprouts in rich potting soil and keep the soil moist. In the spring, plant your small apple trees in the garden and enjoy for years to come!

How do I keep apples fresh?
Ideally apples need to be kept refrigerated to maintain their colour and crispness.

Can I mix different types of apples in a pie?
Yes you can! The only thing to be careful of is the ripeness and firmness. Either choose apples with the same fleshy consistency or be sure that harder apples are cut into smaller pieces.

Should you peel apples?
Excluding the peel and core of apples from the diet almost halves the amounts of Vitamin C and dietary fibre available in the whole fruit, but makes very little difference to the sugar content.