Mainly Maine Apples

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Mainlly Maine Apples logo Mainly Maine Applies is one of the largest sellers of apples in New England. We have apples from New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and of course, the state of Maine. Apples are eaten all over the world. It may not be exactly true that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," but apples certainly do have a health benefit from the fiber and nutrients that they provide. Depending on the variety and the size of the apple, most apples have fewer than 100 calories, and they have calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, folate, and vitamins A and C. We have all of the varieties you see described in the paragraphs that follow.

When you think of an apple, you probably are thinking about a Red delicious apple. Although these apples are synonymous with the apple-growing industry, there is much more to apples than just this variety. Known for their deep red color and gloss, these apples have a crispness that's hard to match. Red delicious apples are grown big, probably because of their popularity as both a dessert or a snack. These apples are best when eaten raw, as they are not the best apples for baking. Truly a signature fruit if there every was one, the red delicious apple is the traditional lunchbox snack for millions of American schoolchildren and many millions more worldwide.

photo of several apples Although you would think that just by name alone that Golden delicious apples are the same as red delicious apples, there is no relation other than their name. Golden delicious are just as their name implies, golden and delicious. Golden delicious apples have a thinner skin than their red delicious namesake apples. They also are firmer and are quite a bit more juicy than red delicious apples. While red delicious apples are more tubular and can have broad shoulders, golden delicious apples are round and tend to be wider than red delicious apples. The key here, however, is in the texture. Golden delicious apples hold up better to baking, so they are the ideal ingredient in strudels and pies. During baking, golden delicious apples tend not to shrivel, and although they lose their crispness, they don't lose any of their wonderful flavor. Can you think of a better way to top off a meal than with a slice of apple pie? Don't scrimp on the whipped cream or the ice cream in summer.

McIntosh apples were first developed by John McIntosh in the late 1800's. The McIntosh apple is probably the apple that most people think of when they think of an apple, as it is the top-seller in all of North America. McIntosh apples are round and mostly red, although at times be difficult to tell when they are actually ripe because they do retain blushes of green even when they ripen. Unlike red delicious apples, which have a beige tint to their flesh, McIntosh apples have a white flesh. McIntosh apples produce plenty of juice, so this variety is a proven winner when it comes to making apple juice. Good for baking as well as snacking, there is no reason not to choose this apple for any purpose.

Although there was a John McIntosh, there wasn't a Granny Smith who developed the Granny Smith apple. Bucking the trend towards red apples as being emblematic of what an apple should be, Granny Smith apples are green. They are probably one of the most successfully developed green apples ever to reach the North American marketplace. Granny Smiths are popular because their flavor strikes a nice balance between sweetness and tartness. Granny Smith apples aren't just appreciated by people. They are also greatly appreciated by industry, as the Granny Smith apple can be refrigerated for several months before they reach the market. Granny Smith apples make their way into pies, but their forte is that they are often used for applesauce.

The variety known as Rome apples, had their origin near Rome, Ohio, so they are named for their birthplace, if you will. Although Rome apples don't have the deep red color as red delicious apples, they do have a blush of red color that many people prefer over red delicious. Rome apples are known for their slightly tart taste. Rome apples are not a snacking favorite, but they certainly are when it comes to making apple cider. Rome apples have the ideal flavor for making this year-round beverage favorite. Some people do prefer to add nutmeg or cinnamon to their cider; others, prefer it just as nature made it.

Gala apples are everything that there name describes; they have a golden skin that is flush with red throughout. The flesh has a creamy yellow color. This is a great apple for snacking, rather than baking. Gala apples stand out certainly on the basis of their appearance; although some folks find it hard to discern when the apple is ripe. Look for a nice blend of both yellow and red throughout.