Pie apples get plenty of attention, but most of the fruit that leaves our store is eaten out of hand. The best eating apple depends on what you like: snap, sweetness or a little bite. Here are the varieties that come through our weekly lists in roughly the order they ripen.

Early to mid September

Honeycrisp. Large, very crisp and juicy, with a sweet flavor and a touch of tartness. It is the one customers ask for first each fall. Eat it fresh, since its texture is the whole point.

Cortland. A medium apple with bright white flesh. It is mildly tart, tender and juicy. Because it browns slowly, it is the apple to slice into a salad or a lunch box.

Empire. A cross of McIntosh and Red Delicious. It keeps the red color and crunch of one parent and the tangy, juicy bite of the other. A reliable all-purpose choice.

Late September into October

Jonathan. Small to medium, with a spicy, sharp flavor and a firm bite. If you find supermarket apples too sweet, start here.

Ida Red. Firm, tart and slightly sweet, with a clean finish. It also bakes well, so one bag can cover both snacking and a pie.

Red and Golden Delicious. Red Delicious is mild and crunchy, which many children like. Golden Delicious is the sweetest on this list, soft and honeyed. Both are easy-going fruit for people who want no tartness at all.

Northern Spy. A late apple with a firm, juicy bite and balanced tartness. It is best known as a pie apple, and it is also a very good eating apple if you like some acid.

How to choose at the bin

• Pick apples that feel heavy for their size. Light fruit is often dry inside.
• Press gently near the stem. Any give means the apple is past its best.
• Color varies by sun exposure. Do not judge a variety by one pale side.
• Ask what was picked that morning. Fresh apples have a snap you can hear.

Try two or three

Buying a mixed half-peck lets you compare varieties side by side. Cut one apple of each kind into wedges and taste them with your eyes closed. Most people end up with a clear favorite that surprises them. Our Apples In Season page shows what is available each weekend, and our baking guide covers the apples that suit pies.