15 Most Popular Types of Apples and How to Use Them

When apple picking starts in the fall, there are all different types of apples. In fact, apples are one of the most popular kinds of produce you'll find at farmers' markets and grocery stores all year round. They are, after all, America's favorite fruit! And there are dozens of apple recipes, both savory and sweet. But which are best for baking? Or churning into butter? Or pressing for cider?

With so many types of apples, it can be difficult to distinguish between them. And not all of them are—shall we say—apples to apples. From soft and sweet to tart and crisp, apples come in all kinds of flavors and textures. Many are great for pies and cobblers, others turned into apple cider cocktails or homemade apple sauce, and even others still are good enough to eat on their own. The best apples for apple pie include varieties like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious. They work in all kinds of apple desserts like Ree Drummond's Dreamy Apple Pie. (With a name like that, need we say more?)

To help you pick 'em at the orchard, we've put together this list of some of the most popular varieties of apples out there (and a couple of unique ones you should know) with details on how best to enjoy them.