Ohio apple growers produce up to 100 million pounds of apples each season. In Northeast Ohio, the stores, farmers' markets, and apple farms are loaded with bags and bushels of a wide variety of apples, from September through November. Ohio produces around 40 different varieties, some Ohio originals. Here's a look at 11 of the most popular kinds of Ohio apples.
Ohio Cortland Apple
A relative of the McIntosh, the Cortland Apple was developed in Cortland County, New York, from whom it gets its name. It is widely grown in Ohio and has a tart-spicy taste. It is excellent for eating raw and cutting up in salads and good for sauces, pies, and baking.
Ohio Crispin Apple
The Crispin apple, also known as the Mutsu, is a relative of the Golden Delicious apple. Originally from Japan, it is grown throughout Ohio. The Crispin apple has a spicy flavor and firm texture. It's best used in pies and in baking.
Ohio Golden Delicious Apple
This sweet yellow apple was developed in West Virginia early in the 20th century. No relation to the Red Delicious apple, this beauty has a sweet taste and a firm texture. It is recommended for eating raw, for cutting up in salads, and for baking.
Ohio Red Delicious Apple
Developed by chance in Iowa in the early 20th century, the Red Delicious apple is the most widely grown apple in the world, including right here in Ohio. The sweet-rich apple is best eaten raw or cut-up in salads.
Ohio Apple Growers
Ohio apple growers produce an average of 100 million bushels of apples each season. The apple tree, indigenous to China and other parts of Asia, was introduced to America by early European settlers. Today, Ohio grows 40 different kinds of apples, some of which we created in the "Buckeye State." Each fall, scores of apple farms open their farms to the public to pick apples, purchase them at farm stands, and for apple festivals and hayrides.
Ohio Fuji Apple
The Fuji apple, a relative of the Red Delicious apple, was developed in Japan during the mid-1930s. This popular, very round apple has a sweet flavor and a hard texture. It is recommended for eating raw, for salads, and for pies and baking.
Ohio Gala Apple
The Gala apple is a hybrid of the Golden Delicious apple, developed in New Zealand during the 1920s. This small, two-toned apple has a sweet flavor and a firm texture. It is recommended for eating raw and for use in pies and other baked goods.
Ohio Granny Smith Apple
This green apple was discovered, by chance, by Maria Smith (a granny) in Australia in the mid-19th century. It has a tart flavor and hard texture and is best used for pies and other baked goods.
Ohio Jonagold Apple
The Jonagold apple is a cross between the Golden Delicious apple and the Jonathon apple. It is excellent eaten raw or when used in pies and other baked goods.