Granny Smiths are the best (Apples)

Member Name: dmandrew

Product:	Apples
Date:	19/05/09 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lovely green, crisp, fresh, zingy apples

Disadvantages: Absolutely none

I have always loved apples.

They look beautiful when growing on trees.
They are very satisfying to pick or to gather.
Fresh ones have a a wonderful zingy smell.
They last for quite a long time.
They complement other foods well.

I particularly love Granny Smiths. I know that these are not native English apples, but they can be grown in this country, and I spent some of my early working days on a farm going up trees to pick these. It's hard then not to eat a few. I think the employers know that there's natural limit to how many you will scoff in a day, so they didn't patrol to make sure that you didn't have any - still, I suppose that was a bit naughty! However, this kept me keen on Granny Smiths, and they are what I always buy if I can.

The colour of a good Granny Smith should be a bright mid-green. They can be slightly spotty with a sort of woody effect in places, but you don't wnat much of that. Don't get them too big, as the flavour can be less concentrated. Four ounces is a good weight for a Granny Smith, but you will have to select your own when buying.

Before eating your apple, you can wash it, but I think that takes away something from the flavour, and prefer to polish it on my sleeve until it shines. The texture should be firm and crunchy, and the inside, crisp, white and juicy. The taste should be keen and sharp.

It's up to you whether you cut your apple up. I think you get a different taste if you do. It could be that the pieces begin to oxidise as soon as the air gets to them, and so a cut apple strats to get a tiny bit cidery, but it probably can't really happnen that fast.

Never eat the core. Assuming you don't attempt to eat the stalk, the pips really don't taste very nice, and I have heard that they can lead to nasty diseases. Not worth the risk.

Apples are brilliant with or after meat or cheese, as the acid in them helps your digestion. Of course, an apple can be part of your "five-a day" strategy as well. It's a brilliantly portable food, that can be eaten at any time of day, and for what cost? Somewhere arond 20p for a lovely Granny!

Summary: A delicous apple with great character: great with protein meals