I love them. Crisp. Crunchy. Juicy. And full of flavor.

It makes my day when I can be out riding my bike and find an apple tree close to the path—just waiting to provide a snack. When they are free, I love them no matter what variety of apple it is.

When I buy apples, I select the variety based on taste, cost, and how I am going to use them. The best cooking apples have a good sweet-tart balance and their flesh doesn’t break down as they cook.

-pointers from Peggy