Crab apples are a familiar sight in many neighborhoods. With their profusion of beautiful blossoms in spring and their abundant colorful fruits in summer and fall, crabapple trees are a popular choice for landscaping.
But while their ornamental qualities are undisputed, many people wonder – are crab apples good for anything besides decoration? Can you actually eat them?
The short answer is yes! Not only are crab apples edible, they offer some great health benefits and culinary uses Keep reading to learn all about the surprising virtues of this under-appreciated fruit
What are Crab Apples?
Crab apples are tiny wild apples that grow on trees and shrubs in the genus Malus, the same genus as regular domestic apples The main difference between crab apples and regular apples is their size – crabapples are generally under 2 inches in diameter.
There are over 70 species of crab apples native to Asia, Europe, and North America. They have long been valued for their ornamental flowers and fruit, so crabapple trees are common in parks, neighborhoods, and gardens.
Crab apples can vary greatly in size, color, and flavor. The fruits are often bright red, but can range from yellow and orange to dark purple. While quite tart, some varieties have an appealing sweetness when fully ripe.
Are Crab Apples Edible?
Though they have a reputation as purely ornamental plants, crab apples are completely edible and safe for human consumption. As with regular apples, you’ll want to avoid eating the core and seeds, which contain a compound that can convert to trace amounts of cyanide.
But the tart flesh and skin of crab apples are nutritious and non-toxic. The main drawback is that most raw crab apples are mouth-puckeringly sour! But their intense flavor makes them fantastic for cooking, preserving, and crafting into tasty foods and drinks.
Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
Despite their diminutive size, crab apples deliver ample nutrients and potential health benefits:
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Excellent source of vitamin C. One cup of crab apples provides about 9.5 mg of immune-boosting vitamin C.
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Antioxidants. Crab apples contain polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidants that combat oxidative stress.
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Fiber. The soluble pectin fiber in crab apples promotes digestion and heart health.
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Anti-inflammatory effects. Compounds in crab apples may help reduce inflammation.
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Supports oral health. Chewing crab apples increases saliva and fights bacteria.
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Cardiovascular benefits. Early research shows crab apple extracts may improve heart health markers.
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Help managing diabetes. Animal studies indicate crab apples may regulate blood sugar levels.
So don’t underestimate these little powerhouse fruits! Crab apples can be a very healthy addition to your diet.
Best Uses for Crab Apples
Now that you know crab apples are edible, how exactly should you use them? Here are some of the best ways to make the most of a crab apple harvest:
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Crab apple jelly – The high natural pectin makes crab apples perfect for jelly. Just cook, strain, sweeten, and can.
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Crab apple sauce – For a simple applesauce substitute, cook chopped crab apples with a sweetener like sugar or honey.
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Fruit leathers – Puree crab apples into leathery fruit strips by dehydrating the sauce.
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Crab apple vinegar – Ferment crab apple juice into a fruity, tangy vinegar.
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Crab apple chutney – Cook crab apples into a spiced, chunky preserve.
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Pickling – Enjoy pickled crab apples as a condiment or cocktail garnish.
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Juicing – Press crab apples into a nutritious, refreshing juice.
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Baked goods – Use crab apple chunks or puree in muffins, breads, tarts, and pies.
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Crab apple butter – For an apple butter twist, slowly cook down sweetened crab apple puree.
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Crab apple liqueur – Infuse crab apples in vodka or other spirits for a homemade liqueur.
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Wine – Ferment crab apple juice into a tart, effervescent country wine.
With a little creativity in the kitchen, the uses for crab apples are practically endless. Their intense flavor allows them to shine in any recipe.
How to Choose Edible Crab Apples
If you want to forage or harvest crab apples to eat, keep these tips in mind:
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Look for larger fruits, at least 1 inch diameter, which will be far easier to core and work with.
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Sample the raw taste. Avoid very bitter or tannic crab apples.
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Wait until ripe. Let crab apples mellow on the tree or after picking for best flavor.
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Watch for frost damage or rot. Discard any crab apples that are very soft or damaged.
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Stick with named cultivars from nurseries, which were selected for better fruit quality.
Popular edible crab apple varieties include ‘Chestnut’, ‘Whitney’, ‘Centennial’, and ‘Indian Summer’. But any crab apple can potentially be tasty if given time to fully ripen.
Crab Apples Are an Undervalued Resource
Though humble in size, crab apples are a valuable edible wild fruit full of culinary potential. Their extreme tartness and high pectin content make them ideal for preserving, cooking, and crafting into delicious foods and drinks.
So don’t overlook those profusions of crab apples growing in your community. With proper identification and care in harvest and preparation, crab apples are most definitely good for many kitchen creations.
Where and How Are Crab Apples Commonly Used?
If you have a crab apple tree in your backyard and donât want the fruit to go to waste, the right recipe can help you turn their sour bite into a delicious treat.Â
Sugar is a great way to curb the intensity of these little apples, and their sharp flavor can become delightfully tart when combined with a sweetener. Theyâre excellent in desserts such as pies, chips, and tarts.
Crab apple enthusiasts also love making them into jelly or jam. The high levels of pectin in these fruits help to give jelly or jam its jiggly texture.Â
Itâs up to you how you use these little apples. And if you find that the taste isnât for you, you can always enjoy the beauty that blooming crab apple trees bring to the environment.Â
What Are Crab Apples?
Crab apples are miniature apples made by flowering crab apple trees. These trees are excellent pollinators, and their fruit feeds many kinds of wildlife. As a whole, crab apple trees are attractive and valuable for the environment.
They belong to the genus Malus, like other apple trees. But, they make small, sour fruits â much different than the Macintosh or Honeycrisp apples you see while shopping for groceries.
What do crab apples look like? Crab apples can almost look like cherries sprouting from their trees because theyâre very small. These little fruits come in many colors, including red, yellow, and green. The telltale sign of a crab apple is its mini size.
How can you tell if a crab apple is ripe? To check if a crab apple is ripe, cut it open and look at the seeds. If theyâre brown instead of white or green, it means the crab apple is ready to eat. It should also feel squishy when you press it with your hand. A ripe crab appleâs taste will be sour but not overwhelmingly so.
What makes a crab apple different from an apple? The fruit needs to have a diameter of two inches or less to be considered a crab apple. Anything more than that is an ordinary apple. Beyond the size, crab apples and apples have very different flavors.
Everything You Need to Know About Crabapples! | DAFT
FAQ
What do you use crab apples for?
They’re more commonly made into a sweet jelly to accompany sweet breads or roasted meats and game and are also used to make crab apple wine.
Can you eat crabapples right off the tree?
As with other apples, do not eat the core or seeds which contain a toxic compound that can turn into cyanide when eaten. Crab apples are sour because they contain more malic acid – the same taste as in unripe apples. Many people are surprised to hear that crab apples are edible straight from the tree.
What are the benefits of crab apples?
Crab apples have been used in Ayurvedic medicine to cure a wide range of conditions, including gout, indigestion, inflammation, constipation, fever, and even cancer. Most crab apple trees blossom in shades of pink or white during the summer. These draw birds and bees, which help pollinate your other plants.
Can you eat raw crab apples?
Yes, crab apples are generally safe to eat raw, but they are typically very tart and not as enjoyable to eat raw as regular apples.
Can you eat crab apples?
Yes, you can definitely eat crab apples. Although crab apples are not poisonous and can be safely eaten raw, many people often prefer to cook them. On their own, crab apples tend to have a very sour flavor that isn’t for everyone. Crab apples are commonly turned into a jam or preserves, similar to apple jam or apple butter.
Are crab apples a good source of vitamin C?
Crab apples are an excellent source of vitamin C. One cup of crab apples contains about 9.5 mg of vitamin C, which is 11% of the daily recommended value. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that our bodies need but can’t produce on their own. It plays a key role in immune system function, collagen production, iron absorption, and more.
Do crab apples taste better?
While the fruits we now call apples have been bred for flavor and texture, the crab apples you’ll see planted everywhere have largely been bred for their ornamental value. Some crab apples will taste far better than others. Some crab apples will also have a bitter, tannic flavor, and it may be best to pass on those. Details on how to tell below.
Why do people eat crab apples?
The tart flavor of the crab apple was appreciated not only for its culinary versatility but also for its supposed medicinal properties. For instance, in traditional European herbal medicine, crab apples were used to: Aid digestion by acting as a natural astringent. Support respiratory health, thanks to their mild expectorant qualities.
Are crab apples good for Your Heart?
There is growing interest in the potential cardiovascular benefits of crab apples. The antioxidants present in the fruit may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the blood vessels, contributing to improved blood flow and heart health.