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The finest apples for apple pie are Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn, both in terms of flavour and texture. They keep their shape wonderfully and have a sweet, tangy flavour. Of course, there are other apples on the cutting board as well. Finding the ideal apples for apple pie might be difficult because there are thousands of different apple kinds in the world. While some will turn to mush in the crust, leaving you with a soggy mess, others are perfect for pies. As a result, the texture is crucial. What about taste, though? Given that you will almost always add sugar to the filling, you should choose a dish that has a wonderful balance of sweet and sour flavours, with a slight focus on the tart. What then is sweet, tangy, and able to maintain its firmness after being spun in the oven? Let's explore.
1. Honeycrisp
The Honeycrisp apple is one of the sweeter types, so the flavour is certainly not lacking. They maintain a fair amount of firmness, but less so than Granny Smiths, which makes them a fantastic flavour and texture combo for your pies. You will need to get Honeycrisp apples as soon as you can because they are only available for a short period of time in the fall.
2. Granny Smith
One of the tartest apple varieties, this common green cultivar is a favourite of professional bakers. It has a strong citrus-like scent and significant acidity, which go well with the extra sugar found in pie recipes. The meat has a robust, crisp texture that withstands extended baking times.
Another justification for the pros' love of Granny Smith? Because they are generally available all year, they are ideal for bakeries that require a consistent, great product and go through a lot of apples.
3. Braeburn
Braeburn is a great option if you're seeking something that strikes the right balance between sweet and sour. It has an intensely concentrated apple flavour that intensifies when cooked. This New Zealand apple is a no-brainer to include in an apple pie recipe when you consider the fact that it naturally possesses flavours resembling cinnamon and nutmeg. It also helps that it has a remarkably crisp, hard texture that maintains its shape during baking.
4. Pink Lady
Pink Lady apples have a solid texture and are vibrant pink with a tart-sweet flavour. Pie recipes don't use them very much. Pink Lady apples can withstand moderate heat, just like Granny Smith. There is no mush in this, and the texture holds up pretty well to baking. Pink Lady apples also win points for flavour, whereas Granny Smith apples lose them. This fruit's exterior is as lovely as its interior, which has a crisp texture and a mildly sweet apple flavour. Even better, they become sweeter as they bake. They are a top option as a result.
5. Golden Delicious
Due to their bright golden colour, Golden Delicious apples stand out on the market and are typically available all year. These apples have a very moderate flavour, making them suitable for pies with additional sweetness and spice. Golden Delicious apples cook down more than Granny Smith apples, making them an excellent choice for combining with other tougher apples on our list.
