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Of the 30 different apple varieties grown in New Jersey, the Winesap is the oldest, dating back to the late 1700s. Other popular varieties grown in New Jersey include Red and Golden Delicious, McIntosh, and Granny Smith. But to give consumers a larger assortment of this popular fruit, researchers are always testing for new varieties. Here are varieties you'll find this fall at Skylands farms.

• CORTLAND: Slightly tart taste. Excellent for eating, salads, sauces, pies, baking. Good for freezing.
• EMPIRE: Blend of sweet-tart taste. Excellent for out of hand eating, salads. Good to use in baking, pies, sauce, freezing.
• FUJI: Very sweet taste. Excellent for fresh eating and salads. Good for sauce.
• GALA: Mildly sweet flavor. Excellent for fresh eating and salads.
• GOLDEN DELICIOUS: Sweet taste Excellent for eating out of hand, salads, sauces. Good to use in pies, baking, freezing.
• GRANNY SMITH: Tart tasting Good for all-purpose use.
• JONAGOLD: Sweet with a hint of tartness. Excellent for fresh eating, salads, sauces, baking. Good for use in pies, freezing.
• JONATHAN:Slightly tart taste. Good for all purpose use.
• MACOUN: Very sweet taste. Excellent for fresh eating. Good for sauces and salads.
• McINTOSH: Sweet with a slightly tart taste. Excellent for eating out of hand and sauces. Good in salads and pies.
• RED DELICIOUS: Sweet taste. Excellent for fresh eating and salads.
• STAYMAN/STAYMAN WINESAP: Slightly tart taste. Good for all purpose use.

Tips for picking:

• Choose apples that are bruise-free and firm to the touch
• Handle gently to prevent bruising
• Store in the refrigerator
• To prevent them from ripening too quickly, store apples in a plastic bag
• Coat apple slices and dices in a mixture of 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water to prevent them from browning
• Gently wash apples before eating