Learn how to identify crab apples, when and how to forage them, and delicious crab apple recipes – including how to make crab apple jelly – with forager and chef Rachel Lambert.
Apples have been around since prehistoric times and there are now over 6,000 cultivated varieties worldwide, all originating from wild apples. Crab apples are native to Europe and Turkey, but have been introduced in north-east Australia and southern Argentina.
Many of us will be familiar with that old Welsh saying, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’; indeed, crab apples are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fibre. Theyre also one of the best fruits for their wonderful tartness that combines beautifully with sugar to make complex sweets.
This guide takes a closer look at crab apples (Malus sylvestris), revealing information on crab apple trees and the fruits that grow on them, how to identify these fruits, when to forage them and delicious crab apples recipes – including crab apple jelly.
Looking for more things to forage in late summer and autumn? Check out our guides to blackberries, mushrooms and bracket fungi.
Crab apples are a tasty wild edible that can be found throughout much of North America. Though small and sour when eaten fresh, these petite apples transform into a delicious ingredient when cooked into jams, jellies, butter, juice, cider, vinegar, and baked goods. Knowing when crab apples are ripe for picking is key to getting the best flavor and texture.
What are Crab Apples?
Crab apples belong to the Malus genus, which also includes domesticated orchard apples There are around 25 different crab apple species native to North America Though some varieties do produce pleasant tasting fruit, most crab apples are smaller and more tart than grocery store apples. On average, they measure less than 2 inches in diameter.
These wild apples thrive along fencerows, woodland edges, thickets, abandoned homesteads parks, and gardens. They blossom in spring, with fruits maturing in late summer through fall. Crab apples grow in clusters on short spur branches near the main trunk.
When is the Best Time to Harvest Crab Apples?
Crab apples ripen from late September through November depending on your location and the species. However, the ideal picking time is after the first hard freeze. Frost helps soften crab apples while also mellowing their naturally tart flavor. If frost hasn’t occurred yet, store freshly picked crab apples in the freezer for a day or two to achieve a similar effect before use.
How to Tell When Crab Apples Are Ripe
Here are signs that crab apples are fully ripe and ready for harvesting:
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Color Change – Skin shifts from green to yellow, orange, red, or mottled depending on variety.
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Fruit Softening – Ripe crab apples feel slightly soft and yield to gentle pressure when squeezed.
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Seed Color – Cut fruits open and check seeds. Brown seeds signal ripeness.
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Taste – Sample taste. Ripe crab apples are mildly sweet with a tart, astringent edge.
Allow crab apples to hang on the tree as long as possible, but harvest before heavy frosts cause the fruits to rot and spoil.
Identifying Ripe Crab Apples on the Tree
Scanning trees before picking makes harvesting easier. Here are some tips:
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Look for Color – Ripe fruits will stand out with pops of red, yellow, orange.
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Check Fruiting Spurs – Scan stubby spur branches near the trunk which produce the fruit.
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Size and Shape – Ripe crab apples are round or oval. Green unripe fruits are smaller and oblong.
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Easily Removed – Ripe fruits should twist off the branch easily.
Storing the Crab Apple Harvest
Enjoy freshly picked crab apples right away, or store them:
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Short Term – Refrigerate in a perforated bag for 1-2 weeks maximum.
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Long Term – Freeze in a single layer on a sheet pan first, then transfer to bags once hard. Will keep for months.
How to Use Crab Apples
Thanks to their naturally high pectin content, crab apples are excellent for:
- Jams, jellies, preserves
- Applesauce
- Juicing and cider
- Vinegars
- Pies, pastries, baked goods
Their tart flavor pairs deliciously with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Balance with sugar or honey. Remove seeds before eating raw, or leave them in for cooked recipes.
Where to Find Crab Apples
Crab apples grow wild in many locations like:
- Hedgerows
- Roadsides
- Parks and gardens
- Near old homesteads
- Woodland edges
- Overgrown fields
They are also common ornamental landscaping trees, especially in older neighborhoods.
Enjoy the Harvest!
Follow these visual cues to identify peak ripeness and harvest crab apples at their optimal flavor. Though small, these prolific wild apples transform into a versatile edible ingredient not to be missed!
When and where to pick crab apples
Crab apples are ready to pick in early to late autumn and grow in mature woodlands, hedgerows, wastelands, scrublands, grass verges, gardens and urban streets.
Discover the flowers, shrubs and trees that make up a typical British hedgerow and why they are so important for wildlife, in our expert guide.
What are crab apples?
The UK’s native, wild crab apples are round and yellow when ripe, but another common variety here is slightly larger (though still small) and more apple-shaped. Cultivated varieties are small and yellowy-red to fully red.
Crab apples are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fibre.
The crab apple tree grows up to 12m/40ft tall with simple, serrated leaves and red or yellow fruits (around 2–3cm/1in across) with one to two small seeds in the centre.
Crab apple trees can live up to 100 years old. Occasionally you may find a truly wild one in a woodland, but many cultivated varieties appear in gardens or on tree-lined streets, where their tiny apples roll across the pavement. These types are equally delicious – just not as sharp as the original, wild crab apple.
The British apple season marks the start of autumn as trees heavy with fruit are harvested to be eaten fresh, cooked into crumbles or pies, and mulled to make cider. Discover the best British apple varieties for eating, cooking and drinking in our expert guide.
Everything You Need to Know About Crabapples! | DAFT
FAQ
When should crabapples be picked?
When foraging for crab apples, it’s important to remember that they are generally ready to pick when they start falling off the tree, you can also check if …
How do you know when crabapples are ripe?
To check if a crab apple is ripe, cut it open and look at the seeds. If they’re brown instead of white or green, it means the crab apple is ready to eat. It should also feel squishy when you press it with your hand. A ripe crab apple’s taste will be sour but not overwhelmingly so.
Will crab apples ripen off the tree?
Not exactly. While apples may soften after being picked, their sweetness and flavor won’t improve off the tree. This is why it’s so important to wait until they’re fully ripe before harvesting.
What color are ripe crab apples?
Crab apple fruits are very small and normally green, ripening to yellow. They are less than 3.5cm in diameter and have a long stalk. It is by the fruit that you can best identify a crab apple – in fact, they are almost like cherries in shape and size. They are very sour to the taste.
When do crab apples ripe?
Crab apples ripen from late September through November in most regions. However, the ideal harvesting time is after the first hard freeze. Frost helps soften crab apples and mellows their tart flavor. Here are signs crab apples are ripe and ready for picking: Color change – Skin color shifts from green to yellow, orange, red, or mottled.
When are crab apples ready for harvest?
Crab apples are ready for harvest when they have reached their full size, their color has developed fully, and they come away easily from the tree when gently twisted. 3. Can I judge the readiness of crab apples by taste? Crab apples are known for their tartness, so taste alone may not indicate their readiness for harvest.
How do you know if a crab apple is ripe?
Look for a change in color first. Ripe crab apples can be red, yellow, or even mottled. Keep in mind that greenish crab apples need more time. Another easy trick to check ripeness is squeezing the fruit gently. A ripe crab apple will give slightly, much like a peach. If it’s as hard as a rock, it’s not ready.
How long do crab apples last?
Enjoy freshly picked crab apples right away. They also store well chilled for several weeks. Short term storage: Refrigerate ripe crab apples in a perforated plastic bag for 1-2 weeks maximum. Check regularly and remove any spoiled fruit. Long term storage: Crab apples keep for months in the freezer.
When do crab apple trees grow?
In the wild, crab apple trees grow in woodland edges, thickets, fencerows, and abandoned homesteads. Their flowering period is spring, with fruits maturing in late summer through fall. When Are Crab Apples Ready to Pick?
Are crab apples ripe in the UK?
The UK’s native, wild crab apples are round and yellow when ripe, but another common variety here is slightly larger (though still small) and more apple-shaped. Cultivated varieties are small and yellowy-red to fully red. Crab apples are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fibre.