1 Answer

Red Delicious - Most popular variety and America's favorite eating apple. Striped to solid red in color, with rich, sweet, mellow taste. Suitable for snacks and salads, not recommended for pies or cooking. Most widely available of all varieties, can be purchased year round nationwide.

Golden Delicious - Yellow color, rich, tangy, sweet, juicy flavor. Texture and shape similar to Red Delicious. Resists browning when sliced. All purpose apple. Desirable for salads, snacks, fresh desserts and baking. Available all year.

McIntosh - Mixed red and green coloring. Tart, tender and juicy flavor. Excellent for eating fresh, not recommended for baking. Available mainly in the east and midwest from September until late spring.

Rome Beauty - Red and red-striped skin. Firm with medium-tart to sweet taste. Best for baking and cooking. Available nationwide from October until July.

Granny Smith -Green coloring, moderately tart and very firm, all-purpose apple. Available nationwide year-round.

Jonathan - Light red stripes over yellow or deep red darkening to purple in areas. Rich semi-tart flavor. All-purpose apple. Available September until spring mainly in the midwest.

York Imperial - Slightly tart, firm with lopsided shape. Deep red skin with green stripes. All purpose apple, best for cooking and baking. Available mainly in Mid-Adantic region from October until late spring.

Stayman - Mildly tart, rich flavor with deep purplish-red, sometimes russetted hue. Multi-purpose apple, suitable for fresh eating, salads and cooking. Available from September until late spring in the central and southeast areas.

Newtown Pippin - Firm, mildly tart apple ideal for eating fresh, in salads and for cooking. Popular for pie fillings and sauces. Available on the west coast from September until February.

Winesap - Deep, purplish-red, firm apple with tangy, juicy, wine-like flavor. Thick-skinned, multipurpose apple. Available nationwide from October until July.

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/apples/edu-introductionB.cfm