It’s fall. Some of our favorite fruits and vegetables are in stores and at the farmer’s market. Pumpkins, dried flowers, and… apples! Lots and lots of apples of many varieties. Some are crisp and tangy. Some are sweet and soft. Some are green. Others yellow and most are red – or have lots of red on them. Some are large, some small, round, oblong – you name it. There are so many options when it comes to this delectable fruit.

You can enjoy fresh apples from almost anywhere in the world, though not all varieties grow everywhere. Some varieties of apples need a lot of cold deep winter to bear the finest fruit. McIntosh needs a deep, long chill. Granny Smiths, however, developed in Australia, will grow in many climates.

Take your time and taste all the different varieties available in your home territory. It’s fun and it’s worth it! You will surprise your taste buds because not all apples taste the same.

The same can be said for your honey. They don’t all taste the same, either. The honey you purchase will vary according to your location. Why? Because different flowers are blooming in each area. Because the soil is different. Because the weather is different.

Create your own tasting experience:

Now is also the time when your local beekeepers are harvesting their summer wildflower honey. Put apples and honey together and you’ll have a really fun tasting experience for everyone!

Part I: Select apples that are both sweet and tart – and crisp! The following are our favorites.

1. Granny Smith
2. McIntosh
3. Pink Lady
4. Honey Crisp

Part II: Prepare your honey tasting. Cut one of each apple variety into long, slim wedges. Pour each of your honeys into different small bowls. It’s a good idea to have some plain or sparkling water on hand – this can get to be a lot of sweet! And you might want some crackers and cheese...

Honey suggestions if you can find them:

1. Local Wildflower
2. Yellow Star Thistle (California)
3. Orange Blossom (Florida and California)
4. Sweet Clover (from the High Plains -rich with cinnamon flavor – not standard ‘clover’)

Part III: Select one variety of apple. Dip it into one of the honeys. Taste and savor the way the flavors work together. Now take that same variety and dip it into another honey. Notice if the flavor is the same or different. If you have only one honey – each variety of apple will give you a unique tasting experience.

Select another apple and repeat.

Go from apple to apple and from honey to honey.

Taste, discuss, enjoy and share.