Apples are one of the most popular fruits in the United States. It ranks among bananas, grapes, and strawberries as one of the most preferred flavors. What do you do if you slice open your apple and find it’s pink or red on the inside? There are a few reasons an apple could have pink flesh, most of which are due to the variety of the apple.
Here are some common reasons an apple might be pink inside.
Which Apple Varieties Are Pink?
The main reason your apple could be pink inside is that it comes from a variety that produces pink or red flesh. The apple’s flesh is the part that you would typically see as white or light yellow. Below are some varieties that might present pink or red flesh.
Lucy Apples
Lucy Apples are a cross between the Honeycrisp and Airlie Red. These apples are very popular thanks to their tart, sweet taste. They are crunchy like the Honeycrisp, and some people feel they have a slight hint of berries.
Pink Pearl
Pink Pearl apples have yellow or tan skin with light pink streaks inside. It has an outstanding balance between sweet and tart, and many appreciate the underlying grapefruit or citrus flavor. Not only does this fruit taste great, but it also smells great.
Pink Sparkle
The pink sparkle apple is also known as the Pink Pearmain. This fruit has a squat, round appearance, fragrant aroma, and sweet taste. It develops deep, red skin when it is ripe in most areas.
Thornberry
The Thornberry Apple is another variety with a pink or red flash. These apples have a tart bite and don’t have as much moisture as other varieties. You can expect them to be slightly dry with a hint of berry.
Grenadine
Grenadine Apples are unique because the light skin allows the pink flesh to show through, giving them a slightly purple tinge. They are very tart, and some recommend you let them sit for a few days before eating them. This step can help the sugars balance out.
What If I Don’t Have a Pink Variety?
If you cut open your apple and find it is pink inside, but you are sure it isn’t a red or pink variety, it could have oxidized. This reaction means that oxygen has reached the flesh of the fruit. This oxidation process causes the pigment of the apple to change. It will usually start as light pink and slowly turn brown or orange.
If you’ve ever picked up a sliced apple and noticed it going brown around the edges, this is the same process. This discoloration can happen quickly, so if you feel the apples were fine a few hours earlier, don’t worry. They haven’t necessarily gone bad. Although the texture may not be pleasant, they are safe to eat or turn into applesauce.
How To Tell if Pink Apples Are Fresh
Generally, you should be able to tell if pink apples are fresh the same way as any other fruit. You can rely on your senses to determine whether or not the fruit has gone bad. Here are some of the criteria for distinguishing fresh fruit from rotten:
- The smell is an excellent indicator of the health of the fruit. Food that goes bad has a distinct odor. If it smells clean and sweet, it probably is.
- Check the texture of the apple. If it is particularly mushy or slimy, it will be off-putting. Take this as a signal that you shouldn’t eat it.
- Simply looking at the apple is often enough to tell if it’s good or not. If there is any mold, you should avoid it.
Conclusion
Apples that are pink inside are a fascinating find. Although you typically expect to find red skin on this fruit, it’s always exciting when you discover the bright pink flesh. If you haven’t tried a variety, get to know the different types and see if you can find one that suits you.