The Best Apples in New York

It's an annual tradition to pick apples every fall in the Albany area. Last year, we had a chance to visit Goold's Apple Orchards, where Karen Gardy revealed the top-three most popular apples in the upstate New York area.

1. MacIntosh

The most popular apple by far in New York is, and probably will always be, the McIntosh. Mac varieties start coming in mid-August and are available at Goold's around Aug. 10. Macs tend to be on the tart side. They are great for cooking, particularly apple sauce, because they "juice" when cooked.

2. Macoun

Macoun (pronounced  mac-ow-in) is a great apple, there's nothing like it! A sweet tart flavor, Macouns are a cross between a McIntosh and a Jersey Black Twig. These apples are so popular, that they  have their own email list of customers from all across the country. Macoun apples are great for salads, apple crisps and snacking.

3. Empire

Truly a New York apple! The New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva developed and introduced this new variety in 1966. The Empire is a cross between a Red Delicious and a McIntosh. Shaped and sized liked a Red Delicious, with a touch of tartness like a Mac. Super crunchy, these apples are great for snacking, and a perfect  size for school lunches.