Crab apples are the small, sour fruits that grow on crabapple trees. With their bright red color, they may look like decoration. So you might be wondering – are crab apples good to eat? The short answer is yes, crab apples are edible and safe to eat. However, there are some important things to know before taking a bite.
What Exactly Are Crab Apples?
Crab apples belong to the same genus as regular apples – Malus. They look nearly identical to regular apples, just much smaller in size. The average crab apple is only about 2 inches wide. Compared to a medium apple which is around 3 inches wide.
Anything under 2 inches is considered a crab apple. The main difference, besides size, is crab apples tend to be more sour and bitter. They contain high levels of malic acid, which gives them their puckering flavor.
Are Crab Apples Safe to Eat?
Crab apples are 100% edible, as long as you avoid eating the core and seeds. The seeds contain a compound called amygdalin which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide.
Eating a few seeds likely won’t cause any issues. But ingesting a large quantity could potentially be dangerous. So it’s best to remove the core and seeds before eating crab apples.
The flesh of crab apples contains no toxins and is safe to eat. Just think of them as mini versions of regular apples.
What Do Crab Apples Taste Like?
Crab apples have a very sour, tart taste. Even when ripe, they tend to be far more bitter than grocery store apples. Certain varieties are sweeter than others, but most crab apples will make your mouth pucker.
Their extreme tartness makes them unpleasant to eat raw for most people. But cooking crab apples can mellow out their sour flavor.
Nutrition Profile of Crab Apples
Despite their small size, crab apples are packed with nutrients:
- Fiber: 1 gram per crab apple. The fiber content is similar to regular apples.
- Vitamin C: 2% DV. Again, comparable to normal apples.
- Potassium: 1% DV
- Copper: 1% DV
- Polyphenols: High levels of beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants.
To get the same nutrition as a medium apple, you’d need to eat about 4 crab apples. The benefit of their small size is you can easily eat a handful!
How Should You Eat Crab Apples?
Very sour crab apples are best cooked or prepared in recipes:
- Baked goods: Cakes, muffins, tarts, pies, crisps. The sugar helps offset tartness.
- Jams and jellies: Crab apples are high in natural pectin.
- Juice or cider: Blend with sweet apples for flavor.
- Salads: Mix with greens and a sweet dressing.
Sweeter varieties can be enjoyed raw. But even the tartest crab apples develop a softer flavor after frost. Freeze them first to draw out more sweetness.
Health Benefits of Crab Apples
Eating crab apples may provide the following benefits:
- Digestive health: The fiber feeds good gut bacteria.
- Heart health: Fiber also reduces LDL cholesterol.
- Immune function: Vitamin C supports immune cells.
- Cancer prevention: Contains various antioxidant compounds.
Crab apples offer similar benefits to regular apples. You just need to eat more to get the same effects due to their small size.
Are Crab Apples Safe For Pets?
The seeds in crab apples could be harmful to dogs or other pets if eaten in large amounts. Make sure pets don’t have access to crabapples or trim off branches within their reach.
If you suspect your pet ingested crabapple seeds, contact your veterinarian. Signs of cyanide poisoning include drooling, dilated pupils, breathing issues, and collapse. But a few seeds likely won’t cause toxicity.
The Bottom Line
Crab apples are edible and provide nutrients, fiber, and plant compounds. But their extreme sourness makes them unpalatable to eat raw.
Cooking mellows out crab apples’ tart flavor. Or embrace their bold punch by using them in jelly, juice, cider, or baked goods.
While the seeds are toxic, you can safely eat the flesh. Simply core crab apples before using them in recipes.
So don’t let their miniature size and lip-puckering tartness scare you. Embrace the versatility of the crab apple and have fun experimenting with recipes!
Is It Safe to Eat Crab Apples?
Yes, its safe to eat crab apples! They are not poisonous and can be eaten raw. However, theyre much tastier when baked into a flaky crust. (Isnt everything?)
Like larger apples, crab apples are rich in fiber for gut health and vitamin C for a healthy immune system. They also contain antioxidants that protect against inflammation and certain chronic health conditions.
Like any food, crab apples should be enjoyed in moderation. The cores and seeds contain a plant compound that is turned into a toxic substance called cyanide as our bodies digest them. Fortunately, crab apples only contain a tiny amount of this compound, and youd have to eat a huge quantity before you start feeling sick.
Check out different types of heirloom apples and how to use them.
What Are Crab Apples?
Crab apples grow in North America, Europe and Asia. This fruit looks like an apple but can be as small as a cherry. Crab apples are a wild type of apple. Theyre in the same family as domesticated apples, which are bred to grow larger and taste sweeter.
Crab apples come in different shades. Theyre usually red with some yellow and green mixed in.
If youve ever bitten into a crab apple, you know they dont taste like apples from the grocery store. Crab apples have a distinct tart, acidic taste. They may even taste bitter.
Ready to grow your own? Heres how to grow fruit trees in your backyard.
Can You Eat Crabapples? Let’s Taste Test Them!
FAQ
Why don’t we eat crab apples?
In fact, crab apples are usually simply not eaten because they can be extremely sour or spongy in texture.Mar 30, 2020
Can you eat crabapples raw?
Yes, you can eat crab apples. Generally, they’re too tart to eat raw, but their appliness is intense when cooked. Crab apples have a really high pectin content, great for jams and jellies.
Is crab apple good for you?
(Isn’t everything?) Like larger apples, crab apples are rich in fiber for gut health and vitamin C for a healthy immune system. They also contain antioxidants that protect against inflammation and certain chronic health conditions.
What are the cons of crabapples?
Drawbacks to crabapples include root suckering and messy fruit in the early spring. There are many factors to consider when selecting a crabapple for your garden, including bloom color, fall foliage color, fruit size, tree size, and disease resistance.