The Best Type Of Apples For Canning

The possibilities for cooking with apples are endless. Think apple pies, apple purees, or glaze that can dazzle a meat dish and tarts. The ideas may make you feel as if there is so much to do, and such little time — especially when it comes to this particular fruit that is slightly notorious for going brown a little too quickly (Oxidation can cause apples to bruise within minutes, according to MasterClass). The best way to preserve them is to can them and it is very much possible to can apples at home.

Better Homes and Gardens suggests a hot bath method that involves preparing a canning syrup made of sugar and water followed by hot-packing them. This step involves simmering the apples in the syrup in the pan for about five minutes. Then, the mixture has to be transferred to a sterilized jar with a lid and a band for extra security. Next, immerse the jar in a boiling water canner for 20 minutes. Once the canner cools, the jars should be removed and have to rest for 12 to 24 hours. If the lids are loose by the end of the process, put the jars in the fridge and use their contents as soon as possible.

Now that we know a little bit about canning, let's see what apples are the best fit for the process.

All kinds of apples can be used for canning, but some result in a better final product than others, according to Healthy Canning. Better slices will come from crispy apples like Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady, Jazz, Honeycrisp, Fuji, Braeburn, Jonagold, and Cortland, according to Better Homes and Gardens. Sauce apples (like McIntosh and Golden Delicious) may lead to slices breaking down.

When stored correctly, canned apples can last up to 18 months, according to Get Busy Gardening. If you want to retain the crispness of the apples in the storage, you can keep the syrup light, suggests Food Preserving Tips. A light syrup will involve mixing 1 ⅔ cups sugar with 4 cups water (this will give about 4 cups of syrup). Alternatively, you could use vinegar or lemon to retain the crispness. However, only add these ingredients if you don't mind the pungent or citric flavor. All in all, canning apples at home is a simple process and if you use the right apples, you will have great results every time.