Apple tastings make a fun event for various ages. You can gauge the tasting for the age group. For moms, add a little cheese and wine. For preschoolers, keep it simple with only four or five types of apples.
First, collect several varieties of apples. Include red, yellow and green apples to make the display more interesting. Slice them without the core.
Second, if you are hosting a tasting for kids, encourage them to examine a whole apple of each type, noting the skin color, texture and size.
Next, taste each type of apple. Allow the kids to describe the flavor of each apple . . . sweet, tart, crispy, soft, hard, etc.
Finally, discuss where each of the apples grows and what its unique characteristics are. Since there are certain varieties that do not grow in the United States, you may want to explain where they came from. This provides a nice opportunity to talk to kids about the journey an apple might take from Fuji, versus one picked from a local orchard.
You can make a fun and perfect snack by offering dips, such as peanut butter, yogurt and honey for dipping any remaining apple slices.
Here is a basic guide to popular apple types:
- Granny Smith - very tart, perfect for snacking, salads, baking and snacking.
- McIntosh - slightly tart, good for baking and cooking - especially for applesauce
- Jonagold - sweet and tart, great for frying - great with strong cheeses
- Cortland - sweet and tart, great for fruit plates because they are slow to brown
- Pink Lady - sweet and tart with a fizzy taste, good for snacks, browns slowly
- Honey Crisp - sweet with crisp texture, ultra-crisp apple, holds up well to cooking & baking
- Fuji - very sweet, with an extra crisp texture, applesauce made with this apple needs little or no sugar
- Gingergold - mild with a tart finish, resistant to browning
- Macoun - very sweet with tender flesh, great with cheese and sliced for snacking
