Crab apples are a tasty wild fruit that can be foraged in many parts of North America. They grow on small, ornamental crab apple trees in backyards, parks, fields, and woodlands. While crab apples tend to be more sour and astringent than grocery store apples, they make delicious jams, jellies, sauces, ciders, and baked goods when harvested at peak ripeness. But how do you know when crab apples are ripe and ready for picking?
What are Crab Apples?
Crab apples belong to the Malus genus, which also includes domesticated apple varieties. There are around 25 different crab apple species found across North America. Unlike full-sized apples, crab apples are petite – usually less than 2 inches in diameter. They thrive in temperate climates and are commonly used ornamentally in landscapes. Crab apple trees bloom with pretty white or pink flowers in spring. The edible fruits mature in late summer through fall.
When is the Crab Apple Harvesting Season?
Crab apples ripen from late September through November depending on your region. The foraging season lasts several weeks. Flavor and texture continue improving even after they fall from trees. Ideal picking time is after the first hard frost. A killing frost helps mellow crab apples, increasing sugar content and decreasing bitterness.
How to Tell When Crab Apples Are Ripe
Ripe crab apples should be harvested for the best flavor. Under-ripe fruits taste too tart and astringent. Here are signs crab apples are ready for picking:
Color Changes
- Skin color shifts from green to yellow, orange, red or mottled shades. Color varies by cultivar.
Fruit Softening
- Ripe crab apples feel slightly soft and yield to gentle pressure.
Seed Color
- Cut fruits open and check seeds. Brown seeds signal ripeness.
Taste
- Sample taste. Ripe crab apples taste mildly sweet with a tart, astringent edge.
Easy Removal
- Ripe fruits twist off branches easily.
Identifying Ripe Crab Apples on Trees
Look for these signs of ripeness before picking
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Pops of color in the canopy – red and yellow fruits are obvious
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Check short fruiting spurs on small branches near the trunk
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Scan for plump, round or oval fruits versus small, oblong ones.
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Give fruit a gentle twist. If ready, ripe crab apples should separate from twigs.
When is Crab Apple Fruit Unripe or Overripe?
Avoid harvesting crab apples that are:
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Still green. Leave unripe fruits to ripen more on trees.
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Shriveled or mushy. Indicates rotting or overripe fruit.
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Marked with spots or blemishes. Damaged, diseased fruits should not be collected.
Only pick sound, firm crab apples at their peak of ripeness. Use multiple signs like color, softness, and seed color to ensure fruits are ready for harvest.
Storing the Crab Apple Harvest
Enjoy freshly picked crab apples soon after harvest. They also store well chilled:
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Refrigerate ripe crab apples in a perforated bag for 1-2 weeks maximum. Check for spoilage.
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For long term storage, freeze clean crab apples in a single layer on a sheet pan first. Once hard, transfer to freezer bags.
How to Use Crab Apples
Thanks to high pectin levels, crab apples are excellent for:
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Jams, jellies, and preserves
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Applesauces
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Juices and ciders
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Vinegars
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Pies, baked goods, and pastries
Crab apples pair well with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Sweeten with sugar or honey to balance their signature tartness. Remove seeds before eating raw or leave them in for cooked recipes.
Where to Find Crab Apples
Forage for crab apples in these common locations:
- Hedgerows
- Along roadsides
- In parks and gardens
- Near old homesteads
- Woodland edges
- Overgrown fields
Note blossoming trees in spring to return to in fall when fruits develop. Backyards and neighborhoods often contain ornamental flowering crab apples perfect for harvesting later in the season.
Identifying Crab Apple Trees
Two wild trees produce fruits that resemble crab apples but are different species:
Hawthorns: Similar small, apple-like fruit and thorns on branches. But hawthorn thorns have no buds, and fruits can be dry and mealy.
Wild Plums: Have oval, reddish-yellow fruit with single pits like crab apples. But plums have a waxy white “bloom” coating.
Correctly identifying crab apple trees ensures harvesting the best quality fruits. Never consume unknown foraged finds.
Foraging Crab Apples Safely
Before eating foraged crab apples:
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Verify the tree species is a crab apple. Consult an experienced forager if unsure.
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Check fruits are ripe using indicators like softness and seed color.
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Inspect for damage. Discard any punctured or suspicious specimens.
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Remember “When in doubt, don’t eat it out!” Proper identification is key.
With so many uses from cider to jelly, ripe foraged crab apples offer a tasty, versatile wild edible to look forward to harvesting every fall season. Follow these guidelines for determining when crab apple fruits are at their flavorful best. Then enjoy their harvest in all sorts of delicious recipes.
Flavour and How to Use
The genus name ‘Malus’ means evil – perhaps because the fruit is so lip-puckeringly sour? Crab Apples are generally very tart when eaten raw, with a blend of slightly sweet and ever so sour.
The fruit tends to be processed/cooked to make it into something rather delicious. If you slice open the fruit and the seeds are brown, it is ripe and ready for your recipes. There’s no need to peel them before using.
It’s worth noting that different trees do produce fruit with slightly different flavours, with some varieties sweeter than others. Crab apples are great infused in alcohol, whether it’s gin, brandy or rum or to make a juice, cordial, or cider. If you make a crab apple syrup, this can be used in everything from cocktails and puddings, to breakfasts and game dishes.
The beauty of crab apples is that they are jam packed with natural pectin, the stuff that makes a jam or jelly set – a tart but taste bud-tingling amber-pink crab apple jelly is a thing of beauty! We also use them to make fruit leathers, pie fillings or mini toffee apples.
Many people overlook the fact that nature’s larder doesn’t just provide free, delicious and seasonal food – but also has incredible nutritional and benefits too.
Crab Apples are no exception, high in vitamins A, C and D, which our bodies need for a strong immune system. The high pectin acts as a prebiotic, helping to maintain good gut health. Also rich in polyphenols (which have antioxidant effects) and soluble fiber (which can help lower cholesterol levels).
The crab apple blossom is often associated with fertility, marriage, and love. If you throw pips into a fire while repeating the name of your love, the love is considered to be true if the pips explode!
It is vital to know how to identify correctly to make sure you can safely enjoy nature’s delights.
Like with all apples, crab apple seeds contain amygdalin, a compound which, when broken down in the gut, can turn into cyanide. If making jelly or jam, you will strain the pulp from the juice so you needn’t worry about the seeds. The amount is minimal (it is said you’d need to consume 150 apple seeds before experiencing any negative effects) but it’s always good to be cautious!
Crab apples are most likely to be confused with the wide variety of apples available, or other members of the rose family, notably wild plums when young.
Fortunately, the fruits of both plants are edible, so if you do mistake them, it’s not a problem! Apple Wild Plum
Foraging at our Cookery Courses
Many of our Cookery Courses include a short foraging walk as part of the day, introducing you to a handful of commonly found wild ingredients.
DAY 258 – How To Tell Crab Apples Are Ripe & Crab Apple Jelly
FAQ
How do you know when to pick crab apples?
You’ll know the crabapples are ripe and ready to harvest when some of them are already falling off the tree. If you can find one or two that are slightly wrinkled on the tree, this is also a good sign. If the fruit is by and large yellow and slightly wrinkly, you may have missed the window.
Will crab apples ripen off the tree?
Not exactly. While apples may soften after being picked, their sweetness and flavor won’t improve off the tree. This is why it’s so important to wait until they’re fully ripe before harvesting.
What month are crabapples ripe?
The oblong fruit ripens in August and has a wonderful flavor that is great both fresh and cooked. If I could only grow one crabapple, this would be it!Nov 18, 2024