Pick the perfect apple

Apple season hits its sweet, delicious stride in October, when you’ll find more than 10 varieties of apples at your neighborhood PCC. Some are exceptionally good eaten out of hand while others are perfect for pies. Here are three excellent, versatile varieties to add to your shopping list this fall.

Honeycrisp

A relatively “new” apple introduced in 1991 by the University of Minnesota, the Honeycrisp boasts an extreme, sharp crispness.

Taste: Sweet with a hint of tartness

Texture: Crispy and snappy with juicy flesh

Best use: Eating, salads and baking

Try the Honeycrisp in Warm Apple and Chicken Sausage Salad »

Fuji

Originally hailing from Japan, the Fuji has a higher sugar level than most apples. They also enjoy a long shelf life.

Taste: Extremely juicy; one of the sweetest varieties

Texture: Crisp-tender

Best use: Eating, salads and slaws

Try the Fuji in Apple, Bok Choy and Carrot Slaw »

Cameo

Discovered in Washington’s Wenatchee River Valley, the Cameo is believed to be a cross between Red and Golden Delicious.

Taste: Nutty with sweet overtones and a touch of tartness

Texture: Juicy and crunchy with tender skin

Best use: Eating, salads (they resist browning when sliced) and baking

Try the Cameo in Caramel Upside-down Cameo Apple Pie »

Bagged apples for a cause

This fall, eating an apple a day comes with a bigger benefit than keeping the doctor away.

PCC has once again partnered with Washington state apple growers and Organically Grown Company (the Northwest’s largest organic produce distributor) to fund farm-to-school education in our region.

Proceeds from bagged organic Fuji apples in specially marked Farm to School bags will support children’s programs at Seattle Tilth that provide an assortment of hands-on activities for K-12 students and their teachers. Last year, $42,000 was donated to Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands.

Look for the arrival of these special apples to PCC’s produce departments this fall.