Apples: The Sweet Fruits of Autumn
That satisfying crunch of sinking your teeth into a ripe apple is the sound that announces apple season. The freshest, tastiest apples of the year are ready for harvest. Although there are many different varieties, each apple has its own unique taste and character.
BUYING TIPS
It's best to purchase apples from a local farmer's market or produce stand. These apples will generally be fresher (and tastier) than the apples sold in larger supermarket chains. When shopping for apples, select ones that are brightly colored, firm to the touch, and devoid of bruises and blemishes. It may be tempting to choose those shiny apples, but don't be deceived by their glow. Some growers purposely polish their apples to remove the dull bloom, or natural coating, from the apples. This polishing does not always guarantee a fresh apple, however. The best way to determine an apple's freshness is by smell; a fresh apple should have a sweet fragrance.
HARVESTING YOUR OWN
If you're fortunate to have a few apple trees growing in your backyard (or a friend's backyard), take advantage of this blessing. If you're not so lucky, then during the height of the harvest (September through October), jump in the car and take a drive to an orchard where you can pick your own apples. Just look in the classified ads in your local newspaper or consult the telephone book for a list of growers who open their orchards to the general public. Next to farmer's markets, local orchards are great sources for unique apple varieties that you may not find in supermarkets. Local growers aren't constrained by shipping or storage concerns--two factors that determine which apple varieties are selected for sale in retail stores.
BRINGING THE HARVEST HOME
Apples become soft when kept at room temperature. They also tend to lose their flavor and crispness. Apples keep longer if you store them in a cool area, like a refrigerator or an unheated basement.
Refrigerator storage.
The ideal storage temperature for apples is about 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Apples keep best if stored in the crisper area of your refrigerator where they'll stay fresh for three months. If you purchase apples from a supermarket, you won't be able to store them as long in your refrigerator. Supermarket apples are usually stored for a period of time before they're shipped from the orchard. This storage and shipping distance affects both freshness and flavor.
Basement storage.
Did your grandparents have a root cellar? If they did, chances are they stored all their seasonal fruits, particularly apples, here. The cool, dark conditions slowed spoilage so that fruit harvested in the fall could be eaten in the winter and early spring without becoming brown and mushy.
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