Fall is one of our favourite seasons, with its warm, cozy flavours and hearty foods. This season is often associated with nourishing comforts, many of which have delicious fall produce. Wholesome root veggies and tasty fruits take centre stage this time of year. You know what that means: apple season! While different Ontario apples are harvested at various times throughout the year, the peak period of this classic tree fruit is between August and November. (Be sure to check out our flyer for some juicy apple deals in-store!)
You can use apples in all sorts of delicious ways, from traditional apple pies to vibrant salads to autumn-inspired sangrias! As you scroll down, you’ll learn more about Ontario apples including varieties, ways to enjoy them, and so much more.
Where Are Apples Grown in Canada?
Over 15 different varieties of apples are grown across almost 16,000 acres in Ontario. Much of this land is located along bodies of water like Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Georgian Bay. This area offers moderate temperatures, which is ideal for apple growing! Ontario is actually the country’s largest producer of apples, with about 13.7 million bushels per year. The top five varieties of Ontario apples are (in no particular order): Gala, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, McIntosh, and Red Delicious. Of course, many Ontario apple orchards will offer additional varieties beyond these.
What To Do With Them:
Pick ’em.
Apple picking is a favourite fall activity! Try it with the kids, for a weekend date, or with the whole family! Local apple orchards can help provide visitors with a stronger appreciation of nature and all the beautiful—and delicious—things it offers us. A “pick your own” experience is a great way to enjoy Ontario apples at their peak, as many orchards will offer different varieties at different times throughout the season. Plan a trip to any of the gorgeous apple farms our province has to offer. (Did you know that Farm Boy™ Sweet Apple Cider comes from Smyth’s Apple Orchard in Dundela, near Iroquois, Ontario? It’s known as the birthplace of the McIntosh apple!)
How to Choose the Best Apples
- Choose apples that feel firm with a tight skin.
- Avoid apples that are bruised, soft, or mushy.
- Look for apples that are free of blemishes or brown spots.
- Choose apples that have the stem intact—these apples will stay fresher longer. If you’re at the apple orchard, a gentle twist will remove the apple from the tree while keeping the fruit intact.
- Choose apples that have a vibrant colour, as these apples have seen lots of sunlight, leading to more flavour. (Colours vary between types of apples, but all should be bright and fresh-looking.)
- Sniff your apple to see if it has a pleasant, apple-y aroma.
Eat ’em.
There are endless ways to enjoy apples! From sweet to savoury applications to simply eating them as a snack in-hand, this versatile fruit works in a variety of recipes. The most important thing when it comes to enjoying an apple is to know HOW you want to eat it. Are you looking to bake a delicious apple pie? Firmer apples that retain their shape and don’t cook down to mush are the way to go. (Options include: Granny Smith, Cortland, Honeycrisp, and Pink Lady.) Prefer to whip up a batch of your own applesauce? Softer apples with mellow flavours are the best choice. (Think: McIntosh, Crispin, or Fuji.) From salads to desserts and everywhere in between, there’s no wrong way to eat an apple!
Types of Apples
- Flavour: Crisp, juicy, and sweet.
- Appearance: Red and glossy with patches of yellow.
- Best For: Baked goods, salads, and snacking.
- Flavour: Very juicy and crisp with a sweet-tart flavour.
- Appearance: Deep red with bright white flesh.
- Best For: Applesauce, baked goods, salads, and cheese plates.
- Flavour: Slightly tart, juicy, firm, and crisp.
- Appearance: Bright red with a light green blush.
- Best For: Snacking and applesauce.
- Flavour: Mellow and sweet, with a hint of vanilla.
- Appearance: Pink-orange with a yellow glow.
- Best For: Snacking, baking, salads, sauces, and beverages.
- Flavour: Very tart and subtly sweet.
- Appearance: Large, round, and pale green.
- Best For: Baked apples, baked goods, sauces, salads, and snacking.
- Flavour: Aromatic, juicy, and very sweet.
- Appearance: Yellow with a blush of red.
- Best For: Baked goods, salads, sauces, and snacking.
- Flavour: Juicy and mildly tart, with a sweetness as it ripens.
- Appearance: Small with a thick red and green skin.
- Best For: Baked goods and sauces.
- Flavour: Mild, crunchy, with a sweet, honeyed taste.
- Appearance: Blush-coloured with a green background.
- Best For: Snacking, salads, baked goods, and sauces.
- Flavour: Juicy, sweet, refreshing, crunchy, and snappy.
- Appearance: Fuchsia-red.
- Best For: Charcuterie boards, salads, and snacking.
Apple-solutely Delicious Apple Products
Baked from scratch by us with simple ingredients like brown sugar, apples, oats, and butter, these pre-cut dessert squares are perfect for fall! Drizzled with rich salted caramel, they make for a decadent option at your holiday table. Enjoy them warm, room temperature, or even cold. Best served with a scoop of Farm Boy™ Vanilla Vanilla Ice Cream or a cup of hot coffee or tea.
A creamy gelato base is packed with clusters of crunchy apple crumble and swirled with ribbons of decadent caramel. Made locally in small batches with 100% Canadian dairy, this autumn-inspired treat is only available for the season. Enjoy a smooth scoop garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds for added crunch or with crushed up Caramel Mini Stroopwafles for extra decadence.
Our cider contains just one ingredient: apples! The perfect vehicle for all your favourite fall flavours, our cider is crafted using fresh-pressed juice from McIntosh apples for a crisp, naturally sweet taste. Enjoy a glass cold or warmed, in mulled cider and sangria recipes, or over ice with a drizzle of caramel and a dollop of whipped cream.
Recipes and Ideas!
Almond Apple Cranberry Crumble
Ingredients: almond flour, arrowroot starch, salt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, coconut oil, apples, lemon, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, crystallized ginger, dried cranberries, coarse sugar.
Gluten-free as well as vegan, this fall dessert will satisfy everyone at the table! With a sweet, crunchy topping and softened—but not mushy—apples, this crisp recipe is perfectly spiced with cinnamon and ginger. Try it with your favourite Farm Boy ice cream, gelato, or sorbet!
Chef’s Tip: If you don’t like coconut oil, swap it out for your preferred plant-based butter or spread at the same measurements.
Baked Nutty Caramel Apples
Ingredients: almonds/walnuts/pecans, butter, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, apples, orange juice, maple syrup, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream.
Wholesome and delicious, this baked apple recipe uses just one bowl for all that yummy filling! You can use whatever nuts you prefer in this recipe, or a combination of all three. The warm, soft apples paired with the crunchy nuts makes for an exquisite bite.
Chef’s Tip: Choose round, firm apples that can stand up straight on the baking dish. We recommend Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.
Warm Kale, Apple, and Butternut Squash Salad
Ingredients: butternut squash, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, shallots, apple cider vinegar, kale, apple, pecans, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, feta cheese, vinaigrette.
This vibrant salad uses some of our favourite fall produce: apples, butternut squash, and cranberries! Heartier than most salads, it makes a great shareable starter at your Thanksgiving table. To prevent your apple slices from browning and keep that beautiful presentation, toss them in water with a squeeze of lemon.
Chef’s Tip: Roast your squash beforehand if you’re pressed for time, then reheat before assembling.
More Dishes & Suggestions
Best Apple & Cheese Pairings
One of our favourite fall flavour combos is apple and cheese. Delicious as a snack or an autumnal-inspired appetizer, the saltiness of the cheese beautifully complements the sweetness of the apples. A few of our suggested pairings are:
Ambrosia Apples + Farm Boy™ Double Cream Brie
Juicy, slightly sweet Ambrosia apples pair perfectly with mild, creamy Brie cheese. Try warming up a wheel of Brie and topping it with caramelized Ambrosia apples for a delicious fall starter.
Cortland Apples + Farm Boy™ Organic 3 Year Old Cheddar Cheese
Crisp and slightly tart, the Cortland apple can handle the hefty flavour of this unpasteurised cheese. With notes of hazelnut and a fruity finish, try these two on a cheese plate or in a decadent grilled cheese sandwich.
Empire Apples + Farm Boy™ Farmstead Gruyère
Juicy Empire apples work well with this salty, creamy cheese that’s a favourite for fondues. Ideal as a snack or as part of a cheese board, this duo would be a delicious choice for a fall hike.
Gala Apples + Farm Boy™ Organic Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
The mild vanilla notes of Gala apples make for a delicious flavour combo with the sharp nuttiness of our Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Enjoy these two as a snack or mixed together in a flaky scone recipe.
Granny Smith Apples + Farm Boy™ Camembert
The sour-tart flavour that Granny Smith apples are known for is nicely mellowed with the addition of our Camembert. Its creamy, smooth texture makes this pair a match made in flavour heaven on a cheese board with some crackers for extra crunch.
Honeycrisp Apples + Farm Boy™ Farmstead Gruyère
Juicy, sweet, and refreshing, Honeycrisp apples would be best complimented by our Gruyère cheese. Rich and creamy, try these two in a grilled cheese sandwich or as an easy snack!
McIntosh Apples + Farm Boy™ Sharp Small Batch Cheddar
The sharp, nutty richness of this small batch Cheddar is excellent with juicy, slightly tart McIntosh apples. These Ontario apples are a favourite in baked goods and sauces, so try them in your favourite apple crisp recipe with a wedge of cheese on the side.
Pink Lady Apples + Farm Boy™ Original Goat’s Milk Cheese
Crunchy Pink Lady apples have a sweet flavour that perfectly complements the creamy tang of goat cheese. Try these two in a fall-inspired salad for an unexpectedly delicious taste.
Rave Apples + Farm Boy™ Double Cream Brie
These delicate apples are best enjoyed cold and do well with a cheese that doesn’t overwhelm them. For that reason, we opted for our creamy Brie. Warm up the Brie and pair it with chilled, thin slices of Rave apples for a wonderful contrast of textures and temperatures.
Save ’em.
If you have more than a bowlful of delicious Ontario apples, you can keep them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Some apples—like Rave apples—actually taste better at cooler temperatures! Be sure to keep your apple stored away from other fruits. Apples produce ethylene gas, which can cause other fruits to ripen faster. Their porous nature also means that they absorb smells easily. If you’re storing your apples on the counter, keep them away from pungent produce like onions.
If you have more apples than you know what to do with, there are a few preservation methods that can help you enjoy all that apple-y goodness throughout the year. Popular methods of preserving apples are: canned apples or apple pie filling, applesauce, apple jelly or jam, apple butter, dehydrated apple chips, apple cider vinegar, and apple cider!
Preserving Tips:
- Wash your apples before removing the peels and seeds.
- Use a handheld peeler for the apples and discard the core.
- Apples with brown spots won’t make a difference once they’re cooked down in sauces or ciders, so leave them in!
- If you’re freezing your apples, quickly blanch the slices in boiling water and then cool in ice water. Freeze them overnight on a baking sheet in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. (Frozen apples are best for cobblers, crisps, and pies.)
Did you know?
- Apples have existed since prehistoric times and have been cultivated for over 3000 years!
- It takes about four apples to make one glass of apple juice.
- Apples are members of the rose family.
- Apple trees can live to be 100 years old.
- The largest apple on record was grown in Japan and weighed 4 pounds, 1 ounce.
- Over 7500 varieties of apples are grown worldwide.
- Apples float in water because they’re 25% air.
