Does Color Make A Difference When Picking Out Apples?

With so many different apple varieties available to enjoy, most people have a personal preference when it comes to taste. If you want a sweet snack, try reaching for a Fuji or Gala apple, while Granny Smith or McIntosh will appeal to those who prefer a tarter taste.

Whether you slice one up to enjoy with caramel dip or peanut butter, or just bite into one fresh, apples are a great, healthy snack choice (you've probably heard the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"). Though apples probably won't prevent the need for doctor's visits, Healthline states that they are an excellent source of Vitamins C, K, E, B1, and B6. They also contain fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, and can be beneficial for heart health and lower the risk of diabetes.

Beyond just choosing based on personal taste preference, picking apples by their color could be a good indicator of what lies within.

Apples come in a variety of different colors, and you can learn to read the exterior of your preferred type. If you enjoy red-variety apples, seek out produce that has a mostly red and pink exterior — this indicates that the apples got plenty of sunlight, and are ripe and ready to eat, per Stemilt.

Stemlit states that if you are buying a red-variety apple but the skin still shows lots of green patches, it does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe to eat; since they aren't as aesthetically pleasing, however, those are ones you may want to cook with.

Even if your bushel of apples does not appear to be exactly what you want for a snack, you can always sweeten them up and add them into a dessert! After all, no one will be focused on the color of the skin when digging into a slice of warm apple pie.