An apple a day…

When we introduce the concept of coffee varieties to folks learning about coffee, we often compare it to apples. Even if fruit agronomy isn’t a hobby of yours, you’re almost certainly familiar with the fact that there are different types of apples that taste different from each other.

Luckily, as we enter peak apple season, we’ve gotten in some delicious coffees that happen to to taste like different apple varieties. Ease into apple-picking season by picking up some of these crisp, sweet beauties this month!

The Fuji apple variety is a hybrid of the comparatively obscure Rolls Janet apple and the super-famous Red Delicious. The tartness of the Rolls Janet combined with the simple, mild sweetness of the Red Delicious gives its signature pleasant balance. Pleasantly balanced is also a perfect way to describe the apple flavor in this Colombian Decaf.

Onyx Colombia Decaf San Jose ($22.40)

Malic acid is the organic compound most associated with apples' tartness. It’s also present in coffee, which is why the tartness in this Kuma Guatemala reminds us so much of the most well known tart apple, the Granny Smith.

Kuma La Folie, Guatemala ($20)

The Honeycrisp apples have only been around since 1991 — basically an infant in apple years! Yet it has soared up the charts in the last few decades to become a top five best-selling variety good for everything from snacks to pies. This coffee from Panther reflects the Honeycrisp’s pleasant acidity, matching it with flavors of chocolate for an all-around crowd-pleasing cup.

Panther Guatemala Finca El Limonar ($23.55)

Pink Lady (which confusingly, is a trademarked name for a variety actually called Cripps Pink) is a variety that stands out for is tastiness and color, as does Pink Bourbon. The fact that this Pink Bourbon coffee actually does have a similar complexity and acidity to Pink Lady apples is a wonderful coincidence.

PT’s Los Alpes Pink Bourbon Honey ($22.40)