Apple Abcs

Apples are as basic to the family of fruits as A is to the alphabet. They are hardy and reliably tasty, never overwhelming but subtly complementary to a multitude of foods. Apples have always been inexpensive. In a pinch of hunger, it’s easy to grab an apple and eat it on the spot. With knife in hand, an apple is the perfect dessert—light, juicy, and slightly astringent.

What you want in an apple is freshness, whether you are eating them out of hand or going to cook them. Although some apples are recommended for eating and some for cooking (and some for cider or drying), remember that a mealy, uninspiring apple remains mealy and uninspiring when cooked. Ripe apples are firm, crisp, and deeply colored, whether that be green or red or any of the colors in between. Apples continue to ripen once picked even when refrigerated. Store apples in the refrigerator in perforated bags and don’t rinse them until you are ready to eat them.