Crab apples are one of those fruits that you don’t see too often in grocery stores, but once you discover them, you’ll want to keep enjoying their unique tart flavor. While not as sweet as regular apples, crab apples have a complexity of taste that makes them perfect for certain recipes and uses. If you’re wondering where you can find crab apples near you, this guide will walk you through the best places to buy them, how to select the best ones, ways to eat them, and more.
What Are Crab Apples?
Crab apples are essentially the wild ancestors of domesticated apples that we know and love today like Fuji, Gala, and Granny Smith. There are over 1,000 varieties of crab apples grown around the world, and they are generally much smaller in size, ranging from 1⁄4 inch to 2 inches wide While regular apples were cultivated over time to become sweeter, crab apples retained their extreme tartness and unique, almost tropical flavors
While their sour taste makes them unpleasant to eat raw for most people, crab apples have a complexity of flavors that lends itself well to certain cooked applications. They are a popular choice for making jelly, jam, sauces, cider, and more. Crab apples also have an impressive nutrient content, containing fiber, vitamins C and A, potassium, antioxidants, and other beneficial plant compounds.
Where to Buy Crab Apples
Finding fresh crab apples may take a bit more effort than picking up your weekly supply of Honeycrisp or Gala apples. Here are some of the best places to look:
Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s markets are an excellent place to find locally grown seasonal produce like crab apples. Visit markets in your area in late summer through fall when crab apples are ripe and ready for picking. Chat with the growers about which varieties they offer and the flavor profiles.
Specialty Grocers
Some natural food stores and gourmet grocers will carry unique produce items like crab apples. Check the produce section at your local health food store or high-end markets. This is also a great place to find crab apple cider and other products.
Orchards
Apple orchards, especially pick-your-own orchards, often have crab apple trees sprinkled among their rows of standard apples. Call ahead to local orchards to ask if they grow crab varieties available for picking. This is a fun weekend activity and a chance to get your hands on ultra-fresh crab apples.
Online Shops
Several online stores sell crab apples and other foraged foods that may not be found in regular supermarkets. Companies like Marx Foods, FreshDirect, and Melissa’s Produce allow you to order crab apples online and have them shipped to your door. Just be sure to eat them soon after receiving!
What to Look For When Buying Crab Apples
Crab apples grown in different regions and under various conditions can vary in size, color, firmness, and flavor. Here’s what to look for when selecting fresh crab apples:
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Size: They are generally much smaller than regular apples, but can range from 1⁄4 inch to 2 inches in diameter. Their size may depend on the variety.
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Color: Crab apple skin can come in various hues including yellow, green, pink, red, orange, and purple. Let the color help guide you to your preferred flavor.
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Firmness: Avoid apples with soft spots or bruises. Crab apples should feel firm when gently squeezed.
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Aroma: Crab apples tend to be more fragrant than typical apples. Sniff your crab apples and avoid any with fermented or off-putting scents.
Checking for signs of mold, damage, or rot is important for any fruit, including crab apples. But don’t let a few small blemishes deter you – the flavor inside is what matters most!
How to Store Crab Apples
Crab apples are more perishable than regular apples due to their higher water content. Follow these tips for storing them:
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Keep unripe crab apples at room temperature. Once ripe, move them to the refrigerator.
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Place crab apples in a perforated plastic bag in your fridge’s crisper. Don’t wash them until ready to eat.
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Use within 2-3 weeks for best quality, before the flesh starts to break down.
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Cooked crab apple dishes will keep in the freezer for several months.
The bottom line: Enjoy crab apples soon after buying for the best flavor and texture.
Creative Ways to Use Crab Apples
Now that you’ve got your hands on some fresh crab apples, what are the best ways to use them? Here are some delicious ideas:
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Crab Apple Jelly: The classic way to put crab apples to use. Their natural pectin makes crab apple jelly set up perfectly.
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Fruit Sauces: Cook crab apples down into a sauce for pork, chicken, or fish. They shine with savory dishes.
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Crab Apple Cider: Blend crab apples into apple cider for a tangy, complex flavor.
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Pies and Tarts: Add crab apples to apple pies and tarts for extra complexity. Mix with sweeter apples.
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Pickling: Pickle crab apples for an appetizer, salad topper, or sandwich add-on bursting with tangy flavor.
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Dried Crab Apples: Slice and dry crab apples for a sweet-tart snack. Rehydrate for baking.
Don’t limit yourself to sweet applications either. Crab apples work wonders in chutneys, glazes, vinaigrettes, and any recipe that calls for a touch of acidity. Their texture holds up nicely to cooking as well.
Favorite Crab Apple Varieties
With over 1,000 types of crab apples, it helps to know which varieties have the best flavor for eating and cooking. Here are a few top picks:
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Chestnut: Sweet, slightly nutty flavor. Golden yellow skin with a red blush.
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Whitney: Very large for a crab apple with smooth, yellow skin. Makes great cider.
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Brandywine: Sweet-tart taste perfect for sauces and cider. Yellow skin with red blush.
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Centennial: Mildly sweet with a juicy texture. Red-orange skin.
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Red Vein: Crimson skin with streaks of white. Pleasantly tart and tropical tasting.
Part of the fun is trying different crab apples to discover new flavors. Use the color, size, firmness, and aroma to guide you to appealing varieties.
Enjoy the Unique Flavors of Crab Apples
Crab apples deserve a lot more appreciation, thanks to their complex tart yet fruity flavors. While it may take some searching to find fresh crab apples in your area, specialty grocers, farmer’s markets, and orchards are great places to locate these unique fruits. Select crab apples that are firm, vibrantly colored, and fragrant. Store them properly in the fridge and enjoy within a few weeks.
Beyond eating them raw (if you dare), crab apples offer an exciting twist on applesauce, jelly, tarts, doughnuts, cider, and more. Their tropical notes pair wonderfully with pork, chicken, vinaigrettes, and cheese. Try new varieties like Chestnut and Whitney to experience diverse flavors.
So embrace the chance to get your hands on crab apples whenever you can. Your cooking and snacking will never be the same once you incorporate the lively flavor of crab apples.
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Everything You Need to Know About Crabapples! | DAFT
FAQ
Is it healthy to eat crab apples?
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.
Is there another name for crab apples?
Crab Apples are small, hard and acidic to the taste. The fruit is known as a pome by botanists. Orchard apples. Photo taken in September.
What is the season for crab apples?
As with their full-sized apple cousins, the fruits of different crab apple trees come into maturity from late summer to mid-fall, offering a huge window for crab apple experimentation. Remember: Taste before you pick!
How to find crab apples?
Crab apples ripen from late September to end November (best picked in the winter). You’ll often find crab apples on trees all throughout the winter, the fruits are relatively hardy due to being quite dry, therefore they don’t rot on the tree.