SweeTango(01 of21)
Open Image Modal(*KitchenDaily's top pick)Category: Firm-sweetBest Use: Best enjoyed fresh, but also good for cookingCross Between: Zestar and HoneycrispTaste: Not too sweet, not too tart -- could be the perfect apple flavor. Relatively tart, but not sour.Texture: Perfect crisp texture and dripping with juiceNote: The SweeTango was bred to meet a demand for crisp, juicy, sweet-tart apples with complex flavor. They first hit store shelves in 2009, and can be found at the following stores: Kroger, Wegman's, Walmart, Dierbergs, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Albertsons and QFC. (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Opalescent(02 of21)
Open Image Modal(* a KitchenDaily favorite)Category: Firm-sweetBest Use: Eating (but holds up well for baking)Taste: Creamy, sweet and richTexture: Crunchy and crisp with a thick skin (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Jonagold(03 of21)
Open Image Modal(* a KitchenDaily favorite)Category: Firm-sweetBest Use: PiesCross Between: Jonathan and Golden DeliciousTaste: Full-flavored, bright and honey-like, with a hint of tartnessTexture: Crispy and juicy, with a tough skin (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Pink Lady(04 of21)
Open Image Modal(* a KitchenDaily favorite)Category: Firm-sweetBest Use: Eating and bakingCross Between: Golden Delicious and Lady WilliamsTaste: Banana-like qualities -- floral and fruity with a slight tropical flavorTexture: Very juicy (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Cortland(05 of21)
Open Image Modal(* a KitchenDaily favorite)Category: Tender-tartBest Use: Eating (especially in salads)Cross Between: Ben David and McIntoshTaste: Autumnal, floral and spicy, with a good sweet flavorTexture: A little on the tender side, with a thick skin (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Macoun(06 of21)
Open Image Modal(* a KitchenDaily favorite)Category: Tender-tartBest Use: Eating or cider-making (also good for applesauce)Cross Between: McIntosh and Jersey BlackTaste: Ideal balance of sweet and tart, with rounded berry flavorsTexture: Very juicy (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Braeburn(07 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-sweetBest Use: EatingTaste: Mild, aromatic, classically sweet and almost caramelized in flavorTexture: Very juicy but slightly pithy, lacking crunch (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Empire(08 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Tender-tartBest Use: Eaten fresh, or made into applesauceCross Between: Red Delicious and McIntoshTaste: Watery, with a good balance of tart and sweetTexture: Crisp to the bite (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Mutsu (a.k.a. Crispin)(09 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-sweetBest Use: Best eaten fresh, but holds up well for bakingCross Between: Golden Delicious and IndoTaste: Slightly astringent with a complex, aggressive tartnessTexture: Grips the teeth with a powder-like texture (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Fortune(10 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-sweetBest Use: EatingTaste: Mild and sweet, and slightly milk-flavoredTexture: Light, crunchy and chalky (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Pippin(11 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-tartBest Use: BakingTaste: Sweet, bland and pear-likeTexture: Pithy and soft, lacking much crunch. (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Fuji(12 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Tender-sweetBest Use: Eating (especially in salads)Cross Between: Red Delicious and Ralls JanetTaste: Sweet, slightly tart, earthy and reminiscent of snap peasTexture: Crisp and tender (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Ginger Gold(13 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Tender-sweetBest Use: Baking, saladsCross Between: Golden Delicious and PippinTaste: Sweet and slightly spicyTexture: So soft it dissolves in your mouth -- very mealy (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Gala(14 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Tender-sweetBest Use: EatingCross Between: Golden Delicious and Kidd's Orange RedTaste: Watery and not too sweet, with an astringent acetone aftertasteTexture: Thin-skinned and juicy (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
McIntosh(15 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Tender-tartBest Use: Applesauce, or eating (it gets too mushy in pies)Taste: Classic apple flavorTexture: Very soft (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Honeycrisp(16 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-sweetBest Use: Eating, but works for bakingTaste: Neutral, but with a sweet, grape juice flavorTexture: Reminiscent of biting into a water chestnut (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Red Delicious(17 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-sweetBest Use: Eating (poor choice for cooking, as it has little flavor)Taste: Bland, watery, undistinguished flavorsTexture: Mealy, soft (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Sweet Sixteen(18 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-sweetBest Use: EatingTaste: Perfumey but watery, with an off-putting floral tasteTexture: Crunchy, chalky (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Granny Smith(19 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-tartBest Use: BakingTaste: So lemony it may be too sour to enjoy eating, but has a sweet finish. Classic apple flavor that you'd expect from apple-flavored foods.Texture: Crisp and moderately juicy (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Winesap(20 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-tartBest Use: Cider-making, eatingTaste: Sour and pucker-inducingTexture: Tough skin with chalky flesh (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)
Golden Delicious(21 of21)
Open Image ModalCategory: Firm-sweetBest Use: Baking (but best mixed with other apples to make up for its lack of flavor)Taste: Extremely sugary, and apple juice-like in flavorTexture: Juicy but not crunchy (credit:Joseph Erdos/The Huffington Post)