Do you peel apples before coring?

Apples are one of the most popular and delicious fruits around the world. They are nutritious, tasty, and versatile – great for eating raw, baking, juicing, and more. But before you can enjoy apples in all their glory, you first have to prep them by peeling and/or coring.

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Should You Peel Apples Before Coring?

This is a debated topic among home cooks. Some argue that it’s easier to core apples before peeling them, while others insist that peeling first is the way to go. Here are the pros and cons of each method:

Peeling First

Allows you to remove the entire peel in one piece
Prevents the peel from getting stuck in the coring tool
Removes pesticides and wax from the skin

Gives you a clean canvas to work with for coring

Coring First

Easier to keep a firm grip on unpeeled apple
Apple is less slippery making coring safer

Peel helps keep apple intact while coring
Faster since coring tool goes through peel and flesh in one motion

So in summary, peeling first is better if you want neat, easy to remove peels and a clean canvas for coring. Coring first is quicker and gives you a better grip on the apple during the coring process.

Proper Peeling Technique

If you opt to peel your apples first, here are some tips for doing it properly:

Wash apples thoroughly under running water to remove dirt and residue.
Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife. Peel from top to bottom in smooth, even strokes.

Try to remove peel in 1-2 large pieces rather than many small shreds.
Peel away from you, keeping fingers away from the blade for safety.
Rinse peeled apples under water to wash away any debris or peel bits.

Pat dry with a clean towel before coring.

Proper Coring Technique

Once your apples are peeled and ready, here is the proper way to core them:

Use an apple corer tool. This will remove the core and internal seeds in one piece.

Position apple upright on a cutting board. Push corer straight down through the top of the apple, angling slightly toward the center.
Twist corer tool as you push. This will help cut through the apple flesh and separate the core.
Lift corer straight up and out of apple. The core should come out clean in one piece.

Use a paring knife to trim away any remaining bits around the cored center.

Coring apples takes some practice, but gets easier with experience. Take it slow until you get the hang of this important prep step.

Types of Apples

Apple Type	Flavor	Texture	Uses
Gala	Mildly sweet	Crisp	Snacking, salads
Fuji	Sweet, slightly tart	Crisp, juicy	Baking, salads
Honeycrisp	Sweet, lightly tart	Crisp, juicy	Snacking, pies
Granny Smith	Tart	Hard, crisp	Baking, sauces
McIntosh	Tangy, sweet	Tender, juicy	Apple sauce, snacking

There are hundreds of different apple varieties, each with their own unique flavor, texture, and best uses. Get to know some of the more popular types so you can pick the right apple for your recipes.

Nutrition Facts

Along with being delicious, apples offer many nutritional benefits:

Low in calories – one medium apple has 95 calories
High in fiber – 4 grams per medium apple

Packed with vitamin C – 14% DV in 1 apple
Good source of potassium, vitamin K, and antioxidants
May help lower cholesterol and reduce risk of diabetes

Contain pectin which aids digestion

With all these nutrients and health perks, it’s clear that apples are more than just a tasty treat. Work them into your diet regularly to take advantage of their fantastic benefits.

Apple Recipes

Here are some delicious ways to use apples once you’ve cored and peeled them:

Baked Apples

Core apples and stuff with brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and nuts
Place in baking dish and bake until tender
Top with whipped cream or ice cream for a treat

Apple Crisp

Toss peeled, cored, and sliced apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg
Top with an oat topping and bake until bubbly
Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Caramel Apples

Insert sticks into cored whole apples
Dip into melted caramel until covered
Optional: roll in chopped nuts, sprinkles, or coconut

Let caramel harden before serving

From sweet to savory, the possibilities are endless when cooking with apples. Let your imagination run wild and whip up something delicious.

Storing Apples

To keep apples fresh and crunchy for as long as possible:

Store unwashed apples in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator
Place in a perforated plastic bag to allow airflow
Wash just before eating or cooking

If sliced or cut, coat with lemon juice to prevent browning
Apples stored properly can last 2-4 weeks in the fridge

Avoid leaving apples at room temperature for too long, as this will cause them to spoil and become mealy more quickly. With proper storage methods, you can enjoy fresh apples for weeks.

Coring and Peeling Tips

Follow these extra pointers for success when prepping apples:

Always start with firm, unbruised apples
A sharp paring knife works better than a dull knife

Use an apple corer for best results – don’t just cut around core
When peeling, remove all of outer skin – leave none behind
Work over a bowl to catch juices and flesh

Rinse peeled/cored apples under water to remove debris
If browning occurs, toss apples with lemon juice
Refrigerate for up to 4 weeks or use immediately

With the right tools and techniques, peeling and coring apples is easy. In no time you’ll be prepping them like a professional.

Conclusion

Whether you peel first or core first comes down to personal preference – both methods work fine. Focus on using sharp tools, take your time, and have all your prep done before cooking for best results. Properly stored, cored and peeled apples should retain their texture and flavor for several weeks in the fridge.

Apples are endlessly versatile fruits that are delicious in both sweet and savory dishes. Their convenience, nutrition, and taste make them a staple for every home cook. So grab your peeler, corer and a bag of your favorite apples and start whipping up some incredible creations today!