Its season happens in mid-September. Dehydrating Apples – Best Picks for Apple Crisp. Granny Smith apples are the best apples to dry if you’re looking for a hint of tart fruit flavor in a recipe. The suitability of an apple for drying depends on several factors such as, first, the flavor. Even better, sweet dried apples are so much healthier than traditional candy and just as delicious. All reviews on DehydratorLab.com represent opinions only. If you love the flavor of a slightly tart glass of apple juice this is the best apple to dehydrate. This apple is a cross... 2. However, you’ll particularly love them if you want a candy-like dried apple that will hold its shape when dried. I've chosen to use a dehydrator since I have one. If grown in sunlight, there’s always a strong hint of pink. Goldrush. The crisp, firm flesh only adds to the appeal. I know their are a “bazillion” different kinds of apples. This variety is trademarked hence as a grower, you have to obtain a license before you can use the brand name. What is the moisture content of your apples? Apples that are very juicy and crispy might be delicious for eating, but they aren’t the best dehydrating apples. Prairie Sensation has a crispy flesh which is also juicy and with intense aroma. Dried Fuji apples will taste like you’ve added sugar even when you haven’t. This apple brings some sort of convenience in that it is resistant to browning. The best apple for dehydrating is Galaor Fuji. Characterized by a green to yellow undertone, Gravenstein made its way into the USA in the 1790's and has been a favorite for many ever since. If you have a sweet tooth, any one of these apple varieties will be your perfect apple for dehydrating. If you make dried apples with one of these sugary varieties, you won’t regret it. Cortland was developed by Prof S.A Beach at Cornell University’s Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York in 1898. Just like Prairie Sensation, it is crispy hence nice for dehydration. That way things will dehydrate at the same rate, leaving you with a uniform end result. Dehydrate at between 130-135℉ for 6-8 hours. Even with their short lifespan, anyone who has tasted the Gravenstein says that it’s well worth the wait thanks to its perfectly balanced sweet-tart flavor with nuances of honey (Fun fact: learn how to dehydrate honey). They last several months with proper refrigeration. Therefore, if you love them, then you might consider buying them in bulk in September or when they are on sale. One of the best qualities of Gold Rush is how it is slow to brown. Spartan isn’t a so sweet variety. But you may also opt to refrigerate them. It has a bright white flesh with a crisp texture. To dehydrate apples in the oven you will want to take the prepared apples on wire racks that will allow air to move around them. That way any cinnamon and sugar that doesn’t stick to the apples on the first tray falls down to the apples … To achieve dried apple slices that look almost store-bought but taste even better, choose one of these varieties. For those who prefer a slightly tart apple, then Granny Smith might impress you. Apricots. Northern Spy apply is found mainly in upstate New York and it’s considered old-fashioned although still pretty much popular. A cross between Lady Hamilton and Granny Smith though it hasn’t been proven scientifically. Fuji Apples: Fuji apples make it into the top three best apples for dehydrating for their firm flesh and sweet flavor. It doesn’t require an avalanche of ingredients like other food items. The pretty red color of the skin and sweet flavor will make them some of the best dehydrated apples you’ve ever had. Mix the cup of lemon juice with the water in a bowl and soak the apple slices in the juice for around 30 minutes (this prevents the slices from browning). It possesses a high-sugar content which concentrates and caramelizes on drying it. I’m going to walk you through a step by step process for dehydrating apples… That, to most of us, is a sure ticket to chew them without apologies. This is the best long term apple preservation technique, and freeze-dried foods maintain quality for 25 to 30 years! Prairie Sensation has a crisp green color with a red overlay. We are not and cannot be held responsible for the actions or products sold by our affiliate merchants. They won’t end up losing their flavor or tasting musty if stored for several months. That’s because all that liquid in very juicy apples will evaporate. Dried apples are the perfect naturally sweet snack. Drying apples is so easy. These apples are also crisp and very juicy. This flavor is, in fact, what makes it a good fruit for dehydrating. I hope this guideline will greatly assist you in choosing the best apples that suit your wants for dehydration. Its sweet-tart with undertones of brown sugar … Cortland apples have enough acid that they won’t brown as quickly as other apple varieties during the dehydration process. It is yellow in color streaked with red and has an oblate shape that makes its final dehydration product sizzling. Another good choice is Red Delicious. These fruits are also loaded with multiple vitamins that boost your immune system. If you are interested in using an oven, I suggest checking out Baked Apple … I don’t think so. It is nice for fresh eating, rich in juicing and pleasant in cooking. Leave the apple … One of the most popular apples today, McIntosh has a sweet and interesting history behind its discovery. It can easily be found between November/December for northern hemisphere orchards and May/June for southern hemisphere orchards. Zestar: Zestar is a sweet-tart variety with a hint of caramel or brown sugar. It has a crisp texture that holds up well when the apple is dried. It is dark red in color and its skin is smooth. We dry apples to produce apple rings or apple chips depending on one’s preferences. If you don’t have lemon juice, you can also dip the apple slices in salt water. Mac, as it’s popularly known, has a white flesh and its flavor falls between sweet and tart. Its juicy and crispy nature is a clear indication of the good results you can anticipate if you subject it to appropriate dehydration. Dubbed the sweetest apple around, Fuji was developed in Fujisaki, Japan, hence its name. Fuji apples were introduced in America in the 1960s and are now widely grown in several States including Michigan, Washington, California, and New York. Cortland has a medium to large size and has a characteristic flat shape. Top 10 Must-Have Small Appliances For Your Kitchen. Mind you, this apple was named so in honor of Queen Elizabeth II who was pleased by its flavor while on her visit in New Zealand. Apples can also be canned, frozen, and fermented, so if you have a lot, try preserving apples … One slight drawback of this apple is that is has that unsavory quality of turning brown so quickly so you should have the necessary solutions in hand for taking care of this before dehydrating. This is affected by the shape and size of the apples and the moisture content too. This makes its chips and rings multipurpose. Varieties like Granny Smith, Macintosh, Gala, and Cortland are great choices. They are sweet and firm when dried and absolutely delicious. Dubbed the sweetest apple around, Fuji was developed in Fujisaki, Japan, hence its name. Keep in mind that if you find any apple to be low on flavor, it will not make a good dried apple … Golden Delicious: The Golden Delicious variety is a dense apple that’s very sweet. There are many ways to make dehydrated vegetables including sun drying, oven drying, or using an electric dehydrator. Use a mandolin slicer or a knife to cut the apples into thin rings about 1/8’’ thick. It has a delicious, well-balanced tart appley flavor. Seal the jars tightly. Has a sweet and tart flavor that makes it superb for dehydration. The fact that Gold Rush maintains a bright acidity at the time of harvest makes it a perfect choice for drying. Thanks to its moderate sugar content, this apple is able to retain its flavor and shape after dehydration. Some varieties of apples will wither up when they are dried. One or two thicker pieces that don’t dry fully can result in spoilage during storage. So, which are the best varieties of apples to dehydrate? It is a very dense and firm variety with enough flesh not to wither up when it is dried. Do you have a dehydrator? Similar to our other two recommendations, the Granny Smith is also available all through the year. Their firm texture also makes them superb for dehydrating since they don’t lose their shape easily. These apples’ exterior has a slight red over yellow background and reddish stripes. I’ve used all 3 methods, and I definitely prefer dehydrating … To make sure you get the best result possible, use the right tool for the job. Apples are naturally delicious right from the apple tree. Being a Macs apple means that it would deliver good results when dehydrated. Label your jars so you know for sure the contents are dried apple slices. This one has a thin, yellow skin and not too soft flesh, though fine. Fuji. The low temperature used in dehydrating vegetables helps to preserve nutrients. Gala is yet another mainstay for most supermarkets and groceries stores around the world thanks to its availability throughout the year. This is one of the best healthy ways to preserve your apples. Dehydrating Fruits like: Apples, Apricots, Strawberries and more. Their interior features a characteristic firm and fine-grained creamy-white flesh. This is to mean that Gala combines the properties of 3 distinct apples. In the inside, it is pale cream and has a spicy-sweet flavor.Added to its crispy nature, it emerges as one of the best possible apples for dehydrating. Blot as much juice off the apple slices as you can before putting these apples in the dehydrator. High flavored and crispy apples are also highly recommended for dehydrating. With all the apple varieties out there it can be intimidating to choose just one! The Golden Delicious is the best apple for dehydrating if you like chewy dried apple slices. We do not claim to be experts, nor should our reviews be treated as fact. One tool that has been around for a long time is this apple … However, you’ll particularly love them if you want a … Its season sets in October and goes through to November. dehydrating food does have some advantages. Please read our full disclaimer page for more information. Are you looking for medium intense flavor or a high intense flavor? The color, however, may vary from green to entirely red depending on the time of the harvest. Granny Smith apples are characterized by their green-colored skin, tart flavor and crisp flesh. To prevent oxidation while dehydrating apples (that's what makes the apples turn brown - and bananas for that matter) - we spray the apples with good old lemon juice. Prairie Sun is moderately sweet and is nice for fresh eating. Its apple chips are equally outstanding. Remember - what makes them one of the best apples for dehydrating is their flavor which intensifies when dehydrated. Fuji Apples:. This apple was developed by Cornell University breeding program in the 1940's in Empire State, New York hence its name. Allow them to cool for an hour or two before transferring them to an airtight jar or resealable bag. I’m a long time canner but I must admit…. It derives its roots from Canada. They won’t overwhelm the other flavors. This apple is a cross between 2 other popular American apples; Red Delicious and Virginia Ralls Janet. It can sometimes come with a bright pinkish blush depending on time of harvest. It also holds its shape and is sweet when dried. They make it into the top three best apples for dehydrating not only because of their versatility, but because they hold their shape when dried and manage to keep their color for a long time. Best Apples For Dehydrating: So another fun thing to make is fruit leather and apple chips. This is the major contributing factor to its continued downfall. Believe it or not, it is possible to make dehydrated apples that hold their shape at home. I prefer using tart apples for dried apple snacks. There are a lot of ways to dehydrate apples so don’t get hung up on dehydrating apples “the right”way – as long as the moisture is removed they’ll store well. These tart apples for dehydrating will just lend a pop of delicious apple flavor in any dish. However, it still has its market among apple lovers who want low sugar fruits with high moisture content. Copyright 2017 - 2020 by dehydratorlab.com. It is rather large and stout in size and, therefore, a good choice for dehydration. This apple has a carmine red skin with yellow and pale green streaks. It’s worth noting here that Kidd’s Orange Red is a cross between Cox’s Orange Pippin and Red Delicious. If you’re looking to dehydrate an apple for use in baked goods Braeburn is the right choice. This is one of the best apples that boast McIntosh and Delicious parentage. Its soft flesh does shrink during dehydration but that doesn’t affect its sweetness. Why is it so? Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. They do have a higher juice content and may wither somewhat when dry. Dehydrated apples are a MUST to have on hand for snacking and baking. Gala, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Honeycrisp are our favorites. They’ll taste like candy and hold their shape when dried. Is your apple sweet or tart? Are they ever on season? They’re a hit with children and adults. Very easy to get the apples ready as well. This apple has a firm, white flesh and that means dehydration here is fast and perfect. For instance, if you love Honeycrisp, SweeTango, and McIntosh apples, then you’ll need to wait till September. #preserve #dehydrate #apples #dehydrated … Gravenstein. As people get familiar with this relatively new apple cultivar, expect to see this late-season … Its season comes between August and September. It may not be as widely popular as a variety like McIntosh or Gala, but it’s just as delicious. Similar to Fuji, Gala is a blend of two other apples as well, Golden Delicious and Kidd’s Orange Red. If you’re looking to dehydrate apples, you’re probably wondering what type of apple to use. They derive their name from their impeccable spicy wine-like and rich aromatic flavor. Most apples that have great flavor and plenty of sugar will make a good dehydrated apple choice. Its season sets in early September. Tip: When apples are out of season, consider using frozen apples instead. In addition, the flesh is so firm, fine-textured,tart and stands up perfectly. After carrying out an intense research, I came up with the following list of apples that I consider to be “frontrunners” as far dehydrated apples are concerned. Or how do you even start selecting the best apples from this humongous field of hundreds of varieties? Dehydrated … In addition, it is fine textured. It has an almost honeyed flavor with notes of vanilla and citrus. Selecting Apples for Drying. While we do try our best to keep  the prices updated, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any price. This apple is considered a modern variety and is a kid to the Keepsake and the MN1627. McIntosh has a vivid red color and a bright green undertone. Pink Lady apples are good apples for dehydrating because they don’t wither up much when dried and also are slower to brown than many other varieties. Most people compare their sugary flavor to that of a freshly pressed apple juice. DehydratorLab.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This apple has been noted to respond positively to drying. Honey Crisp/Honeycrisp was developed by the University of Minnesota. 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