Picking the right apple

So many apples, so little time. With all the varieties available today, it can be confusing to know what's the best apple for baking, for pies, for applesauce and for just plain good eating. Apples have so many nutritional properties and can help in weight loss efforts when eaten raw. But for those times when only a hot apple pie right out of the oven will do, choose one of the recommended apples. Follow the guidelines below and you'll bite into the best apple for your eating pleasure.

• Braeburn, Cortland, Newtown Pippin, Paula Red, Rome Beauty, Spartan and Empire have crisp textures and a mildly tart taste.
• They're great pie apples just like their counterparts with a more tart taste, Granny Smith, Greening and Haralson.
• Softer apples with a less tart taste which are perfect for apple pies are Gala, Golden Delicious, Prairie Spy, Regent, Pink Lady and Honey Gold.

• When it comes to choosing apples for baking in cakes, cobblers and other baked dishes, some of the best include the tart Granny Smith, Greening and Haralson.
• Braeburn, Newtown Pippin and Rome Beauty, with their slightly tart taste, are also great bakers.
• The softest and mildest apples such as Golden Delicious, Gala and Prairie Spy and Honeycrisp work well for all general baking needs.

• When it comes to eating apples, the variety is seemingly endless and the choices are limited only by the preference of the eater.
• If you like a distinct crispy crunch, you'll want to bite into Granny Smith, Haralson, Cameo, Fuji, Braeburn, Cortland, Empire, Jonathan, McIntosh, Newtown Pippin, Paula Red, Spartan, Winesap, Honeycrisp, Liberty and Jonagold.
• Apple eaters who prefer a milder taste should select Gala, Fireside, Golden Delicious, Honey Gold, Jon-A-Mac, Prairie Spy and Fuji.

• One of the most popular ways to eat apples is in homemade applesauce, and the best varieties of apples for sauce include Gala, Lodi, Earligold, Paula Red, McIntosh, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Jonalicious, Ambrosia, Jonagold, Crispin, Melrose, Winesap, Jazz and Fuji.
• Of course, you can eat or bake any apple in many ways, but the above guidelines are based on many years of baking, cooking and raw eating, and they'll help you get the best taste from all your endeavours.