Empire Apple 101 Guide: FAQs, Taste, Storage Tips, and More | Empire Apple: A Complete Guide

What is Empire Apple

The Empire apple is a type of apple developed in New York in the 1960s. It comes from a mix of Red Delicious and McIntosh apples. It has a sweet and tart taste and a crispy texture. The apple has a bright red skin with some green and white flesh inside.

People like to eat Empire apples fresh or use them in cooking and baking. When you cut an Empire apple, it doesn’t turn brown quickly, which makes it great for salads and fruit platters.

In short, the Empire apple is a popular choice because of its tasty flavor, crispy texture, and how well it works in different recipes.

Other Names of Empire Apple

The Empire apple is also known by the following names:

1. Empire Delicious
2. Red Empire
3. EM2

These are some of the alternative names used for the Empire apple variety.

Nutritional Value of Empire Apple

Here’s the approximate nutritional value of a medium-sized Empire apple (about 182 grams) presented in a tabular form:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	95
Total Fat	0.3 grams
Saturated Fat	0 grams
Cholesterol	0 milligrams
Sodium	2 milligrams
Total Carbohydrates	25 grams
Dietary Fiber	4 grams
Sugars	19 grams
Protein	0.5 grams
Vitamin C	8% of the DV
Vitamin A	1% of the DV
Calcium	1% of the DV
Iron	1% of the DV

These values are approximate and can vary depending on factors like apple size and growing conditions.

Benefits of Empire Apple

Empire apples are good for you in several ways because of the nutrients they contain. Here are some benefits of eating Empire apples:

1. Good for Digestion

• Benefit: Helps keep your digestive system healthy and can help control blood sugar and weight.

2. Low in Calories and Fat

• Benefit: Makes for a healthy snack and can help with managing your weight.

3. High in Vitamin C

• Benefit: Boosts your immune system, helps keep your skin healthy, and helps your body absorb iron from food.

4. Has Antioxidants

• Benefit: Fights harmful substances in your body that can cause diseases.

5. Contains Vitamin A

• Benefit: Good for your eyes, immune system, and skin.

6. Keeps You Hydrated

• Benefit: Helps you stay hydrated because of its high water content.

7. Packed with Nutrients

• Benefit: Gives you a range of vitamins and minerals that are good for your health.

8. Good for Your Heart

• Benefit: The fiber and antioxidants in Empire apples can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Adding Empire apples to your diet can be a delicious way to get important nutrients and support your overall health.

Varieties of Empire Apple

The Empire apple is a specific kind of apple, but there are many other apples that are similar in taste and look. Here are some apples that people often compare to or think are like the Empire apple:

1. McIntosh: This apple is one of the parents of the Empire apple. It has a sweet and tart taste and is juicy.
2. Red Delicious: Another parent of the Empire apple, it’s sweet and crunchy but less tart than the McIntosh.
3. Cortland: It’s like the McIntosh but a bit sweeter and doesn’t turn brown as quickly when cut.
4. Jonagold: It’s a mix of Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples. It has a sweet-tart taste and is crispy.
5. Honeycrisp: It’s super crunchy and sweet with a little tartness.
6. Gala: This apple is sweet, crispy, and has thin skin.
7. Fuji: It’s sweet and crispy with a dense inside and a bit of tartness.
8. Braeburn: It’s a mix of sweet and tart and has a firm texture.
9. Granny Smith: This apple is known for its tart taste and crunchiness. People often use it for cooking and baking.

These apples are popular and easy to find. They have some similarities to the Empire apple in how they taste, feel, and how people use them.

What Does Empire Apple Taste Like

The Empire apple has a nice mix of sweet and tart flavors. It gets its sweetness from the Red Delicious apple and its tartness from the McIntosh apple, since it’s a mix of these two kinds.

What Empire Apple Tastes Like:

• Sweetness: Empire apples have a good level of sweetness that’s not too sugary.
• Tartness: They also have a bit of a tangy taste, which adds a refreshing kick.
• Texture: The apple is crisp and firm, making it satisfying to bite into.
• Juiciness: Empire apples are also juicy, which makes them even tastier.

In short, Empire apples have a balanced and tasty flavor that many people enjoy. Their mix of sweet and tart, along with their crisp texture, makes them a favorite for eating fresh or using in cooking and baking.

How To Use Empire Apple

You can use Empire apples in many different ways because they’re so versatile. Here are some simple ideas on how to use Empire apples:

Eating Fresh:

• Snacking: Eat Empire apples as a healthy and tasty snack.
• Salads: Cut up Empire apples to add some crunch and sweetness to your salads.

Cooking and Baking:

• Applesauce: Cook Empire apples with a little water and sugar to make your own applesauce.
• Pies and Tarts: Use sliced Empire apples as the filling for pies, tarts, or turnovers.
• Cakes and Muffins: Add diced or grated Empire apples to cake or muffin mix for extra flavor and moisture.
• Apple Crisp or Crumbles: Use sliced Empire apples for apple crisp or crumble, and add a mix of oats, flour, butter, and sugar on top.
• Stuffing: Put diced Empire apples in stuffing for a bit of sweetness and texture.

Drinks:

• Apple Juice or Cider: Make fresh apple juice or cider by juicing Empire apples.
• Smoothies: Blend Empire apples with other fruits, yogurt, and milk or juice to make tasty and healthy smoothies.

Other Ideas:

• Preserves and Jams: Make apple preserves or jams using Empire apples.
• Dried Apples: Slice Empire apples thinly and dry them to make your own dried apple slices.

Tips:

• Flavor Combos: Empire apples go well with cinnamon, caramel, nuts, and cheeses like cheddar or brie.
• Storage: Keep Empire apples in the fridge to keep them fresh, or in a cool, dark place for a short time.

These are just some easy ways to use Empire apples, but you can get creative and use them in all sorts of recipes and dishes!

Substitute for Empire Apple

If you’re looking for something similar to Empire apples, you can try these other apple types that have a mix of sweet and tart flavors and a crisp texture:

1. McIntosh: It’s like Empire apples because it’s one of the apples used to make Empire. It has a sweet-tart taste and is juicy.
2. Cortland: This apple is a bit sweeter than McIntosh and doesn’t turn brown as fast when you cut it.
3. Jonagold: It’s a mix of Jonathan and Golden Delicious apples. It has a sweet-tart taste and is crispy.
4. Honeycrisp: This apple is really crispy and sweet with a little bit of tartness.
5. Gala: It’s sweet, crispy, and has thin skin and a mild flavor.
6. Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and crispy with a dense inside and a bit of tartness.
7. Braeburn: It’s a mix of sweet and tart and has a firm texture.
8. Granny Smith: This apple is known for its tart taste and crunchiness. People often use it for cooking and baking.

You can use these apples in the same way you would use Empire apples in recipes and dishes. They’re easy to find and have a taste and texture similar to Empire apples.

Where to Buy Empire Apple

You can find Empire apples in many places, both online and at local stores. Here are some places to look:

In-Person:

1. Grocery Stores: You can find Empire apples at big grocery stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Safeway in the produce section.
2. Farmers’ Markets: You can buy fresh Empire apples at local farmers’ markets and support local farmers at the same time.
3. Farm Stands: Some farms have stands where they sell their produce, including Empire apples, especially during apple season.
4. Organic Food Stores: If you prefer organic, stores that sell natural and organic foods often have Empire apples.
5. Local Orchards: Some apple orchards let you pick your own apples, and others have stores where you can buy freshly picked Empire apples.

Online:

1. Online Retailers: Websites like Amazon, Walmart.com, and specialty food sites sell Empire apples and can deliver them to your home.
2. Local Delivery Services: Some local grocery stores and farms offer delivery, so you can order Empire apples online and get them delivered.

Tips:

• Season: Empire apples are usually harvested in late summer to early fall, so that’s when they’re most available.
• Quality: When you’re buying Empire apples, look for ones that are firm, not bruised, and have a bright color.

These are some easy ways to find Empire apples, especially when they’re in season.

How To Store Empire Apple

Here’s how you can store Empire apples to keep them fresh:

Short-Term Storage (1-2 Weeks):

1. At Room Temperature: You can keep Empire apples on your kitchen counter for about 1-2 weeks. Just put them in a fruit bowl or somewhere away from direct sunlight.
2. In the Fridge: If you want to keep them fresh longer, put Empire apples in the fridge’s crisper drawer. You can use a perforated plastic bag or wrap each apple in a paper towel to help absorb any extra moisture.

Long-Term Storage (Several Months):

1. In a Cool, Dark Place: For even longer storage, find a cool, dark place like a basement, garage, or root cellar where the temperature is between 30-40°F (-1 to 4°C).
2. In a Ventilated Container: Put the Empire apples in a container that allows for good airflow, like a wooden crate or a cardboard box with holes.

Tips:

• Remove Bruised Apples: Take out any apples with bruises or soft spots to keep the rest from spoiling.
• Check Regularly: Make sure to check on the stored Empire apples every so often and get rid of any that are starting to go bad to keep the others fresh.

By storing your Empire apples this way, you can enjoy them for a longer time while they stay crisp and tasty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Empire Apple

I hope these FAQs help answer any questions you may have about Empire apples!