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If you are a fruit lover, chances are high that you’d also love apples! And, did you know that there are 7,500 varieties of apples? It’s surprising for sure, but most of them differ in terms of appearance too.
Bramley apples are one of the most popular varieties of apples available out there. However, finding Bramley apples after March (when apples usually go out of season) can be a bit difficult.
Bramley Apples Substitutes
Bramley apples are the green and large apples that are mainly used for cooking. These apples can be stewed or stuffed to make apple sauce. Bramley apples are available from December to March. These apples have a firm texture and appearance too.
And, they can be kept in cool and dark storage areas for around one week without losing their freshness. Bramley apples are suitable for baking and stuffing purposes. More importantly, these apples have a sour flavor which means they are great for sauces.
These apples can be eaten raw as well. However, the flavor will be much lighter when cooked. In addition, when Bramley apples are cooked, they take on a fluffy and golden texture. As you know by now, Bramley apples are generally quite versatile.
Whether you want to use them in a sauce or in a dish, they’ll go along perfectly. However, if you can’t find Bramley apples in your local store, there are a number of different alternatives available to you.
It’s important that you compare different alternatives if you want to switch out Bramley apples from another alternative.
- Granny Smith Apples
Granny Smith apples are widely available, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that these apples are quite popular. Granny Smith apples have a firm texture and a mildly sour flavor. These apples are high-quality apples and make a great option for apple pies.
The best thing about the Granny Smith apple is that it will hold its shape and green color even after it has been cooked. These apples are readily available in grocery stores which makes them a practical option for use in different dishes.
- Fuji Apples
If you want apples that can be used to create a combination of sour and sugar flavors, Fuji apples are great for you. These apples are native to Japan and have been around since the 1930s.
These apples are known to be the sweetest apples out there, so they are ideal for use in desserts. The Fuji apple is suitable for replacing Bramley apples in tarts, muffins, and galettes. These apples are available around the year in the supermarket.
Lastly, it can retain the flavor and texture even when baked in the oven. Fuji apples are slightly more expensive, but that’s expected when you take into account the fact that they are incredibly versatile.
- Winesap Apples
The Winesap apple is the perfect apple variant with complex and rich flavors. In case you have to substitute Bramley apples for some baking recipe, Winesap apple is an amazing choice. These apples complement the light and sweet ingredients of baked recipes.
However, these apples can overpower the flavor a bit, which means you must use them in lesser quantities. Lastly, Winesap apples aren’t really that sour, so if you are looking for that sweet tinge that original apples offer, this is a great choice.
These apples are usually named crisp apples because they have such a firm texture. Honeycrisp apples can retain their appearance as they won’t break down into mush when cooked or baked. These are versatile apples and are available quite easily.
Honeycrisp apples have a juicy and crisp texture and can be eaten raw. These apples are great for baking purposes as well because they don’t lose their appearance easily. As the name suggests, the apples have a honey-like and sweet flavor.
Still, it is mild enough so it won’t overpower the original flavor of your dish.
- Calville Blanc D’Hivers Apples
These apples are the right choice for people for wanting a slightly more exotic option. This is often regarded as the French apple and has a crisp flavor. It’s safe to say that these apples have a slight aftertaste too.
However, these apples can be pretty expensive and might not be available in common supermarkets. To summarize, this variety of apples is pretty old and has a tender texture, making it a neat addition to different dishes.
- Jonamac Apples
The Jonamac apples are known to be a hybrid choice and are available in earlier months of the fall season. Jonamac apples have a crunchy texture, but the mildly spicy flavor might not be great for everyone.
Still, Jonamac apples are suitable for substituting Bramley apples and are suitable for snacking purposes. Jonamac apples are a hybrid mix between the Jonathan and the McIntosh apples, thus the name.
They tend to ripen a bit earlier than other varieties of apples, usually in the fall. More importantly, they contain a variety of key ingredients, such as antioxidants, potassium, and of course, fiber. More importantly, Jonamac apples are considerably low in terms of calories.
If you are looking for a viable alternative to Bramley apples that’s readily available, Jonamac apples are a pretty good choice. They are, however, considered a specialty product, so expect to pay a bit extra. More importantly, you might not find them everywhere.
To get Jonamac apples fresh, you might want to visit your local farmer’s market.
- Red Delicious Apples
The red delicious apples are a suitable substitute for Bramley apples. These apples have a slightly sweet flavor as compared to Bramley apples. In addition, they also have a crunchy texture which means they will retain the flavor and appearance even when baked.
The best part is that red delicious apples are readily available in almost every major supermarket. You will, however, have to pay a premium to buy these apples. That primarily has to do with the fact that they are slightly bigger, and the production process is also more expensive.
- Gala Apples
The gala apples are great for substituting Bramley apples, especially in salads. These apples have a mellow flavor, and the flesh is pretty creamy. In addition, the gala apples won’t get overly brown quickly once you cut them.
They are able to retain their freshness for a while longer than conventional apples too. These are just some of the best alternatives for people who are looking to substitute Bramley apples.
Whether you are making a dish or baking some foods, you can easily use any of these alternatives to switch out Bramley apples. However, just note that while these are viable options, all of these will slightly change the taste and the texture of the dish.
They are not “perfect” substitutes, so to say. If you are especially picky, you may want to consider trying out a few to find one that best goes with your dish.