I always wondered how to choose a great baking apple. I mean, what really should I look for? Well a great baking apple has two important characteristics: a tough outer skin and a mixed taste. What is a mixed taste? It is sweet and tart.
My favorite apple to use for baking is the Cortland. I get them in the fall of the year between September and April.
Cortland Apples were a cross breed apple. It came to be at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station 1898.
The name of the Cortland Apple came from the county in New York, Cortland County, which gets it's name from Mr. Pierre Van Cortlandt.
Mr. Cortlandt was the president of the convention that wrote the 1st New York State constitution. He also was the first lieutenant governor as well.
Cortland apple have a white, juicy flesh as where others have a yellow flesh. This makes them an appealing apple to serve as a garnish. The apples do not seem to discolor as quickly as other apples do.
Cortlands can be great served with crackers and cheese on a platter for example or on a kabob of fruit. They also can be great in fruit salad, adding their own unique flavor to the dishes.
To pick a good apple at the stand or grocer, test your Cortlands for firmness. In the palm of your hand, your apple should feel firm and heavy.
Also check it's skin. Is the outer layer wrinkling? If so, pass on the apple. Make sure it has the tough skin. Because if it is wrinkling it was in the cold too long or not long enough.
To keep your apples fresh is easy. Keep them cold in your refrigerator. Freezing will not happen unless the temperatures go below 28F.
A tip if you are going to have them sitting out for a longer period of time sliced up, rub the slices in a bit of lemon juice. It will keep them from browning up too.
Make sure to visit your local orchard to see what great apples they have. It is fun and a great thing to do with the kids. And it is the best way to taste a fresh apple anytime.
My favorite apple to use for baking is the Cortland. I get them in the fall of the year between September and April.
Cortland Apples were a cross breed apple. It came to be at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station 1898.
The name of the Cortland Apple came from the county in New York, Cortland County, which gets it's name from Mr. Pierre Van Cortlandt.
Mr. Cortlandt was the president of the convention that wrote the 1st New York State constitution. He also was the first lieutenant governor as well.
Cortland apple have a white, juicy flesh as where others have a yellow flesh. This makes them an appealing apple to serve as a garnish. The apples do not seem to discolor as quickly as other apples do.
Cortlands can be great served with crackers and cheese on a platter for example or on a kabob of fruit. They also can be great in fruit salad, adding their own unique flavor to the dishes.
To pick a good apple at the stand or grocer, test your Cortlands for firmness. In the palm of your hand, your apple should feel firm and heavy.
Also check it's skin. Is the outer layer wrinkling? If so, pass on the apple. Make sure it has the tough skin. Because if it is wrinkling it was in the cold too long or not long enough.
To keep your apples fresh is easy. Keep them cold in your refrigerator. Freezing will not happen unless the temperatures go below 28F.
A tip if you are going to have them sitting out for a longer period of time sliced up, rub the slices in a bit of lemon juice. It will keep them from browning up too.
Make sure to visit your local orchard to see what great apples they have. It is fun and a great thing to do with the kids. And it is the best way to taste a fresh apple anytime.
About the Author:
Always trying to figure out what apple to bake with? Let me help. I have tips on that and more on my site www.simpledessertrecipes.net. Do you love chocolate? I have great fudge recipes too on my site at www.simpledessertrecipes.net.
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