Nothing says ‘back to school’ like a crisp apple. They’re the epitome of fall, a longtime lunchbox staple, and arguably one of the most versatile pieces of fruit. But, when there are so many options, how do you choose?
Whether it’s a gift for a teacher, an easy snack option, or destined for a pie, our guide to apples will help you choose the perfect one.
Ambrosia Apples
Ambrosia apples hail from British Columbia. They’re sweet with a crisp crunch, which makes them great for snacking. Store Ambrosias in the fridge instead of on the counter.
Lunchbox Tip: Slice Ambrosia apples and pair them with slices of cheddar cheese. The sweetness from the apple pairs well with the savoury, saltiness of the cheese, making it a well-rounded snack. Ambrosias are also slow to brown due to their low acidity, they can be sliced ahead of time and they keep well in packed lunches.
Make lunchbox snacks more fun but turning Ambrosia slices into fun ‘apple cars’ using grapes for wheels and toothpicks to hold them together.
Gala
Gala apples are a great snacking apple. Originally a New Zealand import, galas are grown in both British Columbia and Ontario. The fruit is crisp and sweet, great for salads and snacking. Other common uses include ciders and applesauce.
Lunchbox Tip: Better fresh, Gala apples may become rubbery when baked — avoid turning these guys into pies. Try them in the Apple Cauliflower Slaw recipe instead. The slaw is a lunchbox favourite — it’s so good, your child will be getting a healthy lunch snack without even realizing it.
Granny Smith
Granny Smith apples are bright green and tart. For a packed-lunch snack, pair these apples with something sweet like honey or savoury like peanut butter.
Lunchbox Tip: Turn your Granny Smith apples and peanut butter into a ‘Granny Sandwich’. Start by slicing the apples into rounds and coring the centre. Then, spread peanut butter on the apple and top with another apple, creating a sandwich appearance.
Great for cooking, the Granny Smith apple has a firm texture that holds up when grilled or seared. Use them in the Cauliflower Curry Soup, on your BBQ as a gourmet burger addition, or in a pie.
Red Delicious
Red Delicious apples are known for their mild flavour. They have a thicker, bright-red skin giving them their iconic appearance.
Lunchbox Tip: For those who juice, Red Delicious is a high antioxidant fruit and stands up well to the juicing process. This apple will also look perfect on your teachers desk, Red Delicious apples are so pretty, it’s like they were made to be displayed.
Fuji
A relative to Golden Delicious apples, Fuji apples are large and sweet. They’re great for a lunchtime snack.
Lunchbox Tip: Don’t be afraid of older Fuji apples; their flavour actually improves over time. Fuji apples are popular in baking since they hold their shape so well. Try substituting the Granny Smith apples in this Savoury Apple Mini Tarts recipe with Fuji for a lunchtime snack you can make the night before. Side note, this recipe is great to make with your kids.
Honeycrisp
Honeycrisp apples are best eaten fresh. They have a natural honey flavour balanced out with a slight tartness. Cool in the fridge before eating.
Lunchbox Tip: Similar to Ambrosia apples, Honeycrisp apples are very slow to turn brown after slicing. Use Honeycrisp apples to make breakfast or lunch fun with food art. The slices of apple can be cut into animal shapes, using raisins or blueberries for the details!