Crab apples are a tart, small variety of apple that pack a ton of flavor. Their eye-catching appearance and culinary versatility make them a unique ingredient to cook with. But where can you buy crab apples if you don’t have a tree in your own yard? Finding them at the grocery store can be hit or miss based on the season. Here is a guide to locating crab apples near you.
What Are Crab Apples?
Crab apples are tiny, firm apples that range from oval to round in shape. They have bright red, yellow, or green skin that sometimes has heavy speckles. The flesh inside can be quite tart with high acidity Crab apples are generally under 2 inches wide
While unsuitable for eating raw, they make fantastic additions to recipes when cooked. Popular uses for crab apples include
- Jams, jellies, and preserves
- Pies, tarts, and baked desserts
- Sauces, chutneys, and relishes
- Vinegars, ciders, and juices
- Pickling and canning
Their small size, texture, and tartness work beautifully in these applications.
Where to Find Crab Apples in Season
Crab apples have a relatively short season from late summer into fall. Here are some places to find fresh crab apples during peak season:
-
Farmers Markets: Check for crab apple varieties from August to October at local markets. Peak availability is September.
-
Pick-Your-Own Orchards: Some orchards allow customers to pick crab apples straight from the tree. Call ahead to check availability.
-
Specialty Produce Markets: Higher-end grocers may carry crab apples with other unique produce.
-
Local Stands: Roadside farm stands in rural areas often sell apples including crab apple varieties in season.
-
Online: Companies like Marx Foods and Melissa’s Produce allow you to order crab apples online when in season.
If you come across wild crab apple trees, be cautious about foraging from unknown sources. Cultivated varieties sold commercially will be higher quality for cooking.
Purchasing Crab Apples Out of Season
It is possible to purchase canned or jarred crab apples during the off-season when fresh isn’t available. Check your grocery store or online stores like Amazon. Common preserved forms include:
- Canned crab apple halves in light syrup or water
- Jarred crab apple jelly, jam, or marmalade
- Bottled crab apple juice or vinegar
- Dried crab apple rings or chips
Frozen crab apples may also sometimes be available when fresh is out of season. Just make sure to use them promptly before freezer burn sets in.
What to Look For When Buying Crab Apples
Follow these tips when selecting fresh crab apples:
- Choose firm, bright-colored apples free of bruises or soft spots
- Opt for smaller apples, generally under 2 inches diameter
- Avoid apples with holes, splits, decay, or worm damage
- Refrigerate promptly and use within 2-3 weeks for best quality
- For cooking, select crab apples with tart, intense flavor
Tart crab apples like ‘Chestnut’ and ‘John Downie’ work better than sweeter varieties in recipes. Ask your grower for tart recommendations.
Storing Crab Apples at Home
Once you’ve located a source of crab apples, proper storage is key:
-
Keep fresh crab apples refrigerated in a perforated plastic bag.
-
Situate them in the coldest part of the fridge, as you would berries.
-
If any apples start to decay, remove them promptly to avoid spoiling the rest.
-
Refrigerated crab apples will keep for 2-3 weeks at most.
For preserved crab apples, follow safe storage guidelines on the label. Once opened, store in the refrigerator and use within a week or two.
The next time a recipe calls for crab apples, hopefully this guide provides some handy tips for finding them near you. Their fantastic flavor is worth seeking out when crab apples come into season. With a little planning, you can enjoy these special fruits even if you don’t have a crab apple tree.
Crab Apples à proximitéAchetez votre/vos Crab Apples préféré(e)(s) en ligne avec Instacart. Commandez Crab Apples auprès de détaillants locaux et nationaux près de chez vous et profitez d’une livraison sans contact ou d’une cueillette en moins de 2 heures.
- Activez les notifications de l’appli Instacart
- Pay attention to when your Instacart buyer sends and receives texts and calls.
- Please give useful instructions for setting up, door codes, or directions to get back to your house.
- Delivery costs start at $3.99 for orders placed on the same day that cost more than $35. They are different for deliveries made in an hour, deliveries of items bought in clubs and outlets, and deliveries of less than $35.
- Service fees vary and can be changed depending on things like where you are and how many or what kind of items you have in your cart. Charges for services that include alcohol are subject to separate fees.
- You don’t have to pour, but we strongly recommend it for orders that are delivered. Boules sont un bon moyen de montrer votre acheteur que vous appreciatez son excellent service. The full deposit is given directly to the buyer when they deliver your order.
Grâce à l’adhésion facultative à Instacart+, vous pouvez obtenir la livraison à 0 $ pour toute commande de plus de 35 $ ainsi que des frais de service réduits. Coût de la cueillette Instacart :
- If you order something to be cooked, you may have to pay “frais de cueillette,” which are the same as delivery fees for orders to be cooked. People who aren’t Instacart members usually have to pay $1.99 for these fees. When you join Instacart, these fees go away, along with the delivery fees.
- There are no service fees for cueilli orders, whether you are a member of Instacart or not.
- Find the best equivalent: If you don’t offer one, your buyer will use his or her best judgment to choose an item that will replace yours.
- Select a specific replacement item: If the item of your choice is out of stock, you may select another item that the buyer can purchase.
- Don’t replace: If you don’t want to replace an item, choose “Don’t replace” to get your money back if the item is out of stock.
- Articles manquants
- Articles erronés
- Articles endommagés
- Articles de remplacement inadéquats
- Commandes reçues trop tôt ou en retard
Si une commande n’est jamais arrivée, ou si vous recevez la commande de quelqu’un d’autre, vous pouvez communiquer avec notre équipe Expérience client d’Instacart Oui! Vous pouvez obtenir la livraison de produits Crab Apples le jour même en aussi peu qu’une heure de magasins près de chez vous en utilisant l’appli ou le site Web Instacart.