Apple tree

[SpacePug]

Wondering if anyone can help with knowledge about apple trees, we have one in our garden we have lived here 2 years and I've never used an apple yet as I don't know when they're ready/if they're eaters or cookers? I'll try and attach some pics, this year they're getting big some are granny smith size (I'm holding a store bought granny smith for comparison)

Oops just seen another person's post here almost identical to mine

Lift an apple up - it should detach easily if it's ripe. Taste it - if it's sweet enough to eat, it's a dessert apple, otherwise it's a cooker. You can cook with dessert apples (cooking apples are peculiar to the UK), just cut down the sugar.

Broadly speaking, the later they ripen, the longer they will keep in store. So apples ripening in August will keep only a couple of weeks, whereas the ones that are still not ripe when you pick them in October will keep to Christmas and beyond, maybe as late as March.

@MereDintofPandiculation

Lift an apple up - it should detach easily if it's ripe. Taste it - if it's sweet enough to eat, it's a dessert apple, otherwise it's a cooker. You can cook with dessert apples (cooking apples are peculiar to the UK), just cut down the sugar.

Broadly speaking, the later they ripen, the longer they will keep in store. So apples ripening in August will keep only a couple of weeks, whereas the ones that are still not ripe when you pick them in October will keep to Christmas and beyond, maybe as late as March.

Just noticed this- thanks so much for the helpful response. I'll try lifting one see if it comes off naturally. That's interesting about the later they ripen the longer they last, didn't know that so that's helpful. Thanks again!

If you are not sure if they are ripe cut one open. If it is ripe the pips will be brown. If they are still green it is not quite ripe. But a taste test is best.

They look lovely , very clean and no worrying holes from codling moth. If they are ripe I would pick them and enjoy them before the blackbirds start pecking at them, which will bring in the wasps as well.........

@viques thank you! I sliced one open and the pips are white. Had a little taste and it has a funny taste too

What do you mean by a "funny taste"? If not ripe, it should be sharp/ acid, perhaps enough to make your mouth wrinkle, but it shouldn't have any other taste. But apples naturally have a variety of different tastes, eg spicy/cinnamony, strawberry-like etc.