Apple Varieties Nutrition Comparison: From Pink Lady to Granny Smith

Oh, my darling ones! Come sit with Grandma while I tell you all about my favorite apple varieties. You know, after 50 years of baking pies and making applesauce for this family, I’ve learned that each apple has its own special personality – just like my grandchildren!

Let’s start with what I call my “sweet family” of apples. For each of these, I’m talking about a medium-sized apple, about the size of your fist, dearie (that’s 182 grams for those who like to be precise, like my son-in-law John!).

The Pink Lady (she’s such a charmer!):

• 90 little calories
• 16 grams of natural sugar
• A generous 4.6 grams of fiber
• 9mg of vitamin C to keep you healthy
• Lots of those good-for-you antioxidants
• A bit tart, like my granddaughter Sarah’s wit!

The Fuji (a real sweetie, this one):

• 105 calories
• 21 grams of sugar (the sweetest of the bunch!)
• 4.3 grams of fiber
• 8.2mg of vitamin C
• A good amount of antioxidants
• Sweet as my grandson Tommy’s smile

The Honeycrisp (my personal favorite):

• 95 calories
• 19 grams of sugar
• 4.5 grams of fiber
• 9.1mg of vitamin C
• Just the right amount of everything
• Crisp and refreshing, like a fall morning!

Now, let me tell you about what I call my “tart treasures” – these apples have a little kick to them, just like my spicy apple butter!

Granny Smith (named after a grandmother, you know!):

• 85 calories (the lowest of the bunch)
• 16 grams of sugar
• A wonderful 4.8 grams of fiber (the highest of all!)
• 9.3mg of vitamin C
• The most antioxidants of any apple
• Tart as my lemonade on a hot summer day

Braeburn (such a reliable apple):

• 88 calories
• 17 grams of sugar
• 4.7 grams of fiber
• 8.8mg of vitamin C
• Plenty of antioxidants
• Dependable as my old kitchen timer

Empire (a real workhorse):

• 92 calories
• 18 grams of sugar
• 4.4 grams of fiber
• 8.5mg of vitamin C
• Good amount of antioxidants
• Steady as my rocking chair

Now, let me tell you about those special compounds in the skin – what the doctors call “antioxidants.” The redder the apple, the more of these good-for-you compounds it has. It’s like how the redder my tomatoes get, the riper they are! Red Delicious has the most (128mg), followed by our friend Pink Lady (113mg), then Fuji (105mg).

For those watching their sugar (like my daughter Sarah), here are Grandma’s best picks:

• Granny Smith - tart and low in sugar
• Pink Lady - a nice balance
• Braeburn - just a touch of sweetness
• Empire - reliable and moderate

For tummy troubles (we all have them sometimes, dearies), these apples have the most fiber:

• Granny Smith: 4.8g - the champion!
• Braeburn: 4.7g - almost as good
• Pink Lady: 4.6g - still wonderful

When it comes to cooking (and oh, have I done my share!):

• For pies: Granny Smith holds her shape beautifully
• For sauce: McIntosh cooks down like a dream
• For eating fresh: Honeycrisp is pure joy
• For lunch boxes: Gala travels well without bruising

Let me share some of Grandma’s wisdom about picking the perfect apple:

• Look for bright, clear color - like a sunny morning
• Give it a gentle squeeze - it should be firm but not hard
• Check for any soft spots - like checking a baby’s bottle temperature
• The redder varieties usually have more of those good-for-you compounds

Storing your apples properly is important too:

• Keep them cool - like a fall morning
• Don’t let them get too warm - they’ll ripen too fast
• Check on them regularly - just like I check on all of you!
• Remove any that are getting soft - one bad apple really can affect the others

Now, some questions my family often asks me:

Which apple has the least sugar? Granny Smith is your best bet, my dears. She’s tart but true!

Best apple for watching your weight? Any apple is good, but Granny Smith and Pink Lady are especially nice choices - they’re lower in calories and high in fiber to keep you feeling satisfied.

Which one is the most nutritious? Oh, they’re all good for you in their own way! But if I had to choose, Granny Smith and Red Delicious have the most of those special compounds that keep you healthy.

Should you buy organic? If you can, my dears. But the most important thing is to eat apples, period! Just wash them well, like I taught you.

Remember, my darlings, that like people, each apple variety has its own special gifts to share. Whether you’re baking a pie, packing a lunch, or just wanting a healthy snack, there’s an apple that’s perfect for you!

With all my love and apple wisdom, Grandma

P.S. Don’t forget to share an apple with someone you love - sharing makes everything taste better!