Washington Apple Tasting

No no...you haven't read the title wrong. This post is indeed about an apple tasting! I was just as surprised as you probably are, when I got an invitation from the SCS Group for a press meet showcasing Washington apples through a tasting, for the Washington Apple Commission at 360 Degrees, The Oberoi, Delhi. 

Until that afternoon, I would never have imagined of something like an apple tasting. I mean, who would sit and have 7 different types of apples at a go? And why? After I was through with the tasting, I changed that to "why not?".

I realized that different types of apples, much like the different types of grapes that make wine, have different personalities. Each apple has a distinct character based on taste, texture, color, and crispness. The degree of sweetness or tartness of an apple is the main factor that can help you decide the use of the apple.   

It turned out to be a highly interesting and educative afternoon. Apart from a lot of industry-specific data, I also learnt how to judge an apple from its' shoulders, color, shape and firmness. The shocker - the degree of redness of an apple is not directly proportionate to it's taste!   

The varieties that we tasted were Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, and Cripps Pink. Most of them I'd already had before, and had a decent idea about their taste and use. Like the fact that Granny Smith is the perfect baking apple because of its' tartness. Braeburn and Cripps Pink were new to me. And I by the end, I had found a new favourite apple; the Cripps Pink, also known as Pink Lady. It was juicy and full of flavour, a perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a lovely crunch to it.

Here's a lowdown on the differnt types of apples:

Red Delicious - Mostly deep red in color, this apple is sweet and crunchy. Perfect as an apple-on-the-go.

Golden Delicious - An all-purpose apple with a sweet taste. Good for baking, salads, and on-its-own. {Personally my least favourite}.

Granny Smith - Bright green, extremely tart and crisp, and juicy. These features make this the perfect baking apple, as it holds its firmness even at high temperatures. Also great for adding that 'tartness' to a salad.

Gala - Pinkish-orange with some yellow spots, this apple is crisp and sweet. Best on-its-own.

Fuji - Big, extra-sweet, and crisp. Great for making applesauce and apple preserves owing to its syrupy sweetness.

Braeburn - A rich, sweet-tart, bright-red, aromatic and juicy apple. Another great apple for baking given its' firmness. Also great for snacking.

Cripps Pink - In one word...unique. Tangy-sweet, firm, flavourful, crisp and juicy. Try it!

Pictures: Courtesy SCS Group

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