Apple varieties number into the thousands with different types preferred for eating, making juice and cider, baking and processing. Growers are constantly experimenting with new varieties.

Apples are big business for states like Washington, New York and Michigan. Find out which varieties are best for eating, cooking, cider and more.

But the truth is, different apples taste differently and are good for different uses. What's more, there’s some unique history to the names of different kinds of apples. These are probably the ...