Can Crab Apples Be Eaten? Everything You Need to Know

Crab apples are tiny, sour fruits that grow on flowering trees and resemble regular apples. If you’ve seen crab apples decorating wreaths or growing in orchards, you may have wondered – can crab apples be eaten?

As an avid gardener and baker, I used to walk right by crab apple trees without a second thought. But once I learned more about these petite fruits, I realized they can be a delicious addition to certain recipes. In this article, I’ll share what I’ve learned about eating crab apples, including whether they’re safe, how to prepare them, and some tasty ways to use them.

Are Crab Apples Edible?

The first question many people have about crab apples is – are they safe to eat? The good news is yes, crab apples are edible. They belong to the same Malus genus as regular apples and are not toxic.

However, crab apples tend to be much smaller and tarter than grocery store apples The average crab apple is only about 1-2 inches wide, compared to a medium apple which is around 3 inches wide And while typical apples are sweet, crab apples are extremely sour and bitter.

So while you can eat fresh crab apples, they may not be particularly enjoyable due to their intense sour flavor. But as I’ll explain shortly, there are ways to make crab apples more palatable.

One thing to note is that like regular apples, crab apples do contain seeds that have trace amounts of compounds that can produce cyanide. But the levels are very low, and you’d have to eat a huge quantity of seeds to make yourself sick. So it’s fine to accidentally swallow a seed or two. Just be sure to avoid eating the core and seeds when possible.

Taste and Flavor Profile

Now that we’ve established crab apples are edible, what do they actually taste like? As mentioned, raw crab apples tend to be mouth-puckeringly tart Think of the sourest granny smith apple you’ve ever eaten – crab apples are even more sour!

Some specific varieties, like Chestnut and Whitney, are considered the best for eating But in general, the deeper red crab apples tend to be more bitter than yellow or green ones

To give you an idea, on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is super sweet and 10 is extremely sour, most crab apples fall between 8 and 10. So they can make your lips pucker if you try eating them raw!

Because of their extreme tartness, crab apples aren’t enjoyed straight off the tree like regular apples. But when combined with sugar and spices, their bright acidity can add wonderful flavor to baked goods, jams, and jellies.

Ways to Prepare and Use Crab Apples

Now let’s talk about the best ways to prepare crab apples so you can enjoy their tangy flavor.

Baking

One of the easiest ways to mellow crab apples’ sour taste is by baking them. Try coring the apples, filling them with brown sugar and cinnamon, and baking until soft. The heat helps soften the texture while the sugar balances out some of the tartness.

You can also chop crab apples and add them to muffins, cakes, crisps, and pies. The sugar and flour in baked goods helps temper their intense flavor. Crab apple compote is another yummy option – just bake chopped crab apples with sugar and spices until thickened.

Jam and Jelly

Thanks to their high natural pectin content, crab apples are fantastic for making jams and jellies. By boiling the fruit with sugar, you get a sweet-tart condiment perfect for spreading on toast or biscuits.

Crab apple jelly is especially popular because the straining process removes any remaining bitterness from the seeds and skin. For a fun twist, add herbs like rosemary or jalapenos to your crab apple jam.

Juice and Cider

Pressing crab apples makes an extremely tart and refreshing juice. You can mellow it out by mixing with sweeter apple juice or even adding crab apple juice to cocktails.

And boiling crab apples to make cider is a traditional fall activity in many regions. The small fruits pack big flavor that makes a crisp, nostalgic cider perfect for autumn.

Pickling and Preserving

Thanks to their firm flesh and tart flavor, crab apples are naturals for pickling. Simply submerge chopped crab apples in a brine of vinegar, salt, sugar and spices. Refrigerator pickles are ready in just a day or two.

You can also can pickled crab apples for long-term preservation. And dehydrating thinly sliced crab apples makes flavorful apple chips you can enjoy year round.

Crab Apple Recipes to Try

Now that you know how to tame their extreme tartness, here are some tasty ways to use crab apples:

• Crab apple pie – Fold chopped crab apples into a sweetened, spiced pie filling and bake in a flaky pie crust.

• Crab apple jelly – Boil crab apples, strain out the solids, and cook the liquid with sugar to make a shimmering jelly.

• Crab apple chutney – For a savory-sweet condiment, cook crab apples with vinegar, onions, raisins, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves.

• Crab apple upside-down cake – Bake sliced crab apples topped with brown sugar and butter, then flip over once cooled for a stunning presentation.

• Crab apple margaritas – Muddle crab apples with lime juice and agave nectar, then mix with tequila for a tangy cocktail.

Storing Crab Apples

Fresh crab apples will usually keep for 2-3 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. And they can be frozen for 6-12 months if you plan to use them for baking, juicing, or preserving.

Cooked crab apple products like jam, jelly, and chutney can be canned or kept in the fridge for long-term storage too. Just be sure to follow proper canning procedures if preserving for shelf storage.

Availability and Where to Find Crab Apples

If you don’t have access to a crab apple tree, you can sometimes find fresh crab apples at farmers markets and orchards in fall. Dried crab apples may also be available year round at some specialty grocers.

And be on the lookout for foraged crab apple products like jam, jelly, syrup, and cider during autumn months at local stores and festivals. Crab apple trees grow all across North America, so crab apple goods are easiest to find in these regions.

You can also order canned or dried crab apples online if you want to experiment with cooking outside of crab apple season.

Possible Side Effects and Precautions

As mentioned earlier, crab apples contain trace amounts of cyanide compounds in their seeds, so be sure to remove the core and seeds before eating them raw. You’d need to eat a huge amount of seeds to get sick, but it’s better to be safe.

Some people may experience mild diarrhea or upset stomach when eating crab apples due to their high acidity. So introduce them slowly in small amounts at first.

And as with any new or foraged food, consult your doctor about any allergies or medication interactions before eating. Children, pregnant women, and people with underlying conditions may need to take extra precautions as well.

The Takeaway

While not as sweet as the apples you’ll find at the grocery store, edible crab apples can add wonderful tart flavor to a variety of recipes. Their small size and extreme sourness makes them unsuitable for eating raw. But combined with sugar and spices, crab apples transform into tasty jams, baked goods, cider, and more.

So don’t let those petite fruits go to waste next time you come across a crab apple tree. With proper preparation, they can be a unique and delicious addition to your autumn recipes.