If you see a spot, gently wipe at it to see if it is just dirty or is a bad spot. Bruises may be small and not very deep, so these are fine because you can cut around them. If the apple has a large bruise or is mushy, it’s probably rotten deeper into the apple and not just on the surface. These deeply rotten ones are the ones you want to avoid.
Again, a small cut here and there is nothing to worry about. You just want to make sure the whole apple isn’t covered in cuts.
Apples with a full color have absorbed a lot of sunlight, so they tend to be more flavorful than dull looking apples. Apples won’t always be one solid color, but if half of the apple is still green (when it should be red) it has not ripened evenly and may not be the best choice.
It’s not an exact science but the smell is a strong indicator of quality.
Fuji, Goldrush, and Red Delicious are great options for salad because they don’t visibly brown quickly. Jonamac, Spigold, and Cortland are recommended for apple butter because they retain flavor during cooking and pair well with the spices used. For making applesauce, use Jonagold, Cortland, and Yellow Delicious. If the skin in red, you can leave it on for pink colored applesauce.
For example, Red Delicious are a classic for snacking, but are not recommended for baking or using in sauces. On the other hand, Golden Delicious are great for both eating fresh and for pies and baking. Sweet apples include Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, and Fuji. Granny smith and Jazz apples are known to be a little more tart and tangy.
Look online to find out if there is an orchard within driving distance of you and plan a trip. This can be a great activity for the whole family, not just a necessity trip.
Farmer’s markets are a great way to get fresh apples. There’s also a good chance they come from smaller orchards which might mean they are tended more carefully. Buying locally also means a better chance of getting fresh apples because they don’t have to be transported from far away.
You want to leave the bag unsealed so the gas will dissipate from the apples themselves, too. If the gas is trapped in the bag with the apples, it will cause them to go bad faster, as well.
To help keep apples fresh, store other foods in tightly sealed containers so the smell will be contained and not spread through the fridge. Onions are a good example of a food that will pass its smell to apples. Other foods to keep sealed and away from apples are garlic, fish, and most types of pepper.
If you buy apples that are not quite as ripe as you want them, you can leave them out for a few days and then move them to the refrigerator. They won’t last as long as those kept cold the whole time, but longer than if you leave them out. Apples left out can also draw bugs, which is usually not an issue in the refrigerator.
