There are, of course, apples I like more than others, and so too are there apples I like less than others. But in general, as it goes, I like apples green, yellow, red, crimson, in between, crunchy, soft, juicy, dry, shiny, dull, ripe, sour.

I like the way they jump their way up the stairs at night when everybody else is sleeping, sometimes in single file, most often in pairs. I like the way they rule the fruit bowl in a fair but firm manner; I especially like how they keep the oranges in check - but for the apples, the oranges, with their fascist tendencies, would demand hard labour and good citrus from the bananas and kiwis. I like the way apples allow their fruitful juices to run down my hands in all their natural glee and zest when I bite into them. I like how apple juice dries on the skin and makes your hands sticky until you wash it off.

For apples are constant reminders of our entire existence. They are the sole embodiments of desire, of memory, of general nostalgia, in old age, in youth, in wisdom and prosperity and integrity and wealth.

What are your favourite apples and why do you like them? What use have you found for apples? What is it about apples that you like the most?

I am not a big apple eater, however, when I do eat apples, I like the red delicious apples. Of course I don't mind the green apples in apple pie, or apple crisp with lots of cinammon, but seldom do I eat a "plain" apple. I've been on a nectarine kick myself, and strawberries are good as well.


TIS

I find the process of eating an apple too painful and unrewarding. I love apple juice though

I work in the produce part of a supermarket, and from all of the apples that have fallen out of the box, I enjoy Gala Apples and Granny Smith apples the most.

I love the Red Delicious myself, especially slightly cold. I don't like a tart apple (sorry, AppleOnYa ) except for in a pie.

We have some wonderful apple growing regions in upstate New York and its a treat to go apple picking in early fall.

Why do I get the impression that when you get the munchies a lot of apples fall out of the box?

I love the red delicious also and the granny smith. It's fun to pick apples off the tree and eat them right away. I love fried apples in the morning for breakfast and applebutter on biscuits. Yummy.

I like Red Delicious, Fuji and Gala the best. We still have some local orchards, although most of them have become housing developments, but I am ashamed to admit that we haven't gone apple picking in quite some time.

I do enjoy baking a pie once a year or so, and home-made apple sauce beats the heck out of store-bought.

Capo, you are quite correct in that it appears that apples rule the fruit bowl, ESPECIALLY over the bananas, who ripen and go limp quite without much provocation.

Empires, hands down, the best eating apple, with golden delicious a close second.

However, for cooking, Cortland or Granny Smith take the cake (or, pie, in this case).

Granny Smith is my favourite green, favourite overall too; Braeburn is my favourite red. But both seem inadequate or disappointing when too ripe (and thus soft). I prefer them sour and bitter and crunchy and dark.

But let's not overlook some important issues here. Sure, apples are tasty, juicy, healthy, etc., but they also happen to be loyal companions, worthy pets, and fantastic company if you're feeling alone. A man alone in a room full of apples is never really alone. They're great sex toys, too, if you're into that sort of thing (though I would not recommend them to novices, for an apple stuck in an area rarely prodded can be very painful; always use lubricant, proper stuff too, not just citrus).

Great for sports, too: Sixteen apples can go a long way on a pool table, with seven greens, seven reds, one yellow and one crimson. A soft-tip cue is recommended, with plenty of chalk too (edible chalk, if you're keeping the apples for post-match consumption). You can practice you're soccer skills with a small apple; great for keep-ups. A basket of apples can be used for a game of baseball, for cricket, for bowls, for many things.

And that's local, rather domestic issues. I've not even moved onto global problems. Imagine if everyone used apples instead of shells for artillery? Wouldn't the world be a much happier, safer, juicier and healthier place? It'd smell a lot nicer, too.

I'm kind of weird when it comes to apples. I like apple flavored candy, LOVE apple juice, LOVE apple pie and other apple filled pastries.

...but I'm not a big fan of a plain old apple lol.

SB, Do you ever make banana bread with your ripe banana''s?

SC is right about some good apples grown in upstate NY. I live in a pretty big apple country myself, and attend an apple festival or two each year. There are great honeycrisp apples grown around York and Gettysburg. My kids' favorites are the fujis and galas, which are good. Still, my all-time favorite eating apple is the macintosh...in mid to late October- firm, crisp, juicy and sweet. I always feel clean after eating a good apple.

I also buy gallons of apple cider every fall from a local orchard. It's like drinking candy.

You got that right Klyd. Apple cider is the best.

XCDX,

I am the opposite, I'll eat an occasional apple, but don't like apple juice, apple cider. Although applesauce is ok. Go figure.


TIS

Apple juice is my preference, if I had to decide (it's difficult).

As far as eating, my favorites are red delicious and golden delicious. Sometimes I'll put thin apple slices in my curry recipe, as it's cooking. Absolute heaven.



Story of my life...

Signor V.

We still talking about bananas?

I like the green ones the most. They have to be really green-green, light green, and hard, juicy, and sour.

I'm the opposite. I love every apple product, except applesauce, which I can't eat for some reason.

Not fall; flllllllly. Can you dig it, brother?

Fresh Cider & Vodka, my fave in the fall... if not, a sour apple martini with vodka:
1 Part Cold water
1 Part Sour Apple Snapps
2 Parts Frozen Vodka

Shake well over ice... yum... can't think of a better way to end a long hard day.. think i will go get another now...