Picking the Best Apples

Fall is here! Time for hay rides, Halloween candy and apple orchard trips! Check out these tips below from our friends at Stemlit to pick the perfect apple during your next family trip to the Apple Orchard.

1. Check the apple's firmness: Pick up the apple and gently press a small area of the fruit's skin. It should be firm to the touch. Avoid apples that are soft, discolored, or indent easily after you press the skin.

2. Visually examine the apple: As you check firmness, look at every side of the apple to check for quality. Some markings on the fruit come from nature and aren't a sign of a bad apple. However, apples with bruising or obvious signs of decay aren't going to provide the best eating experience and should be avoided.

4. Look at the color of the apple: Although color is not the best indicator of a great eating apple, it can be helpful when selecting this fruit. For red apples, look for the green background to be covered mostly by red or pink-orange coloring. Apples with full color have absorbed lots of sunlight which leads to great flavors.

5. Look for a sweet scent:  A fresh apple should have a sweet aroma. Some varieties, such as Gala, have a much stronger scent.

Other tips and tricks:

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