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Cooking apple

language culture Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Cooking apples are special fruits made for the kitchen.

004bramley
004bramley

We often call these culinary apples. They are different from dessert apples which people eat raw. Most cooking apples are quite large. They can also taste much tarter than eating apples. Some varieties have very firm flesh. This flesh does not break down easily when it gets hot.

006grav.2red.strains
006grav.2red.strains

Other types have a lot of acid. This acid creates a fun froth when the fruit cooks. This froth is great for many different recipes.

There are many ways to use these tasty fruits. You can cook them down into a smooth sauce. You might also make apple butter or fruit preserves.

Bratapfel
Bratapfel

Some people like to bake a whole apple in the oven. To do this, you first remove the core. Then you can fill the middle with raisins or cinnamon. Some people add brown sugar or even brandy. You can even wrap the apple in pastry to make a dumpling. In the UK, people often serve cold apple sauce with roast pork.

People use special tests to see how an apple works. A cook might take a small half-inch wedge of fruit. They simmer it in water until it is tender. Then they prod the piece to see its shape. They want to see if the shape stays intact. The cook can then taste it to check the flavor. This helps them decide if they need to add more sugar.

This step ensures the apple is right for the recipe.

Many different kinds of apples have been grown for a long time. Britain grows a huge range of apples just for cooking. In the United States, people grew many types in the late 1800s. Some tart types included the Rhode Island Greening and the Fallawater. There were also sweet types like the Golden Sweet. In early 1900s England, popular names included the Bramley and the Cox. Many apples are actually dual-purpose. This means they work well for both cooking and eating raw.

Learning about apples helps us understand many yummy foods. You might recognize an apple pie or a fruit crumble.

006grav.2red.strains
006grav.2red.strains

These treats use the unique qualities of different varieties. Some apples are grown to stay firm, while others make a puree. Scientists and farmers use codes to track these traits. For example, a "P" means it makes a puree. A "K" means it keeps its shape. This helps people choose the best fruit for their favorite meals.

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File:004bramley.jpg
004bramley.jpg
File:Starr 070730-7804 Malus pumila.jpg
Starr 070730-7804 Malus pumila.jpg
File:006grav.2red.strains.jpg
006grav.2red.strains.jpg
File:006grav.ylo.jpg
006grav.ylo.jpg
File:Bratapfel.jpg
Bratapfel.jpg
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