');--success-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--info-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--chevron-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--checkbox-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--radiobutton-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--show-password-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--hide-password-svg-icon:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--error-svg-icon-color:var(--red-500);--success-svg-icon-color:var(--emerald-700);--info-svg-icon-color:var(--sky-500);--chevron-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--checkbox-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--radiobutton-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--show-password-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--hide-password-svg-icon-color:var(--grey-900);--bde-woo-notices__icon-size:16px;--bde-woo-notices__padding:24px;--bde-woo-notices__border-radius:4px;--bde-woo-notices__error-background:var(--red-50);--bde-woo-notices__error-text:var(--red-500);--bde-woo-notices__error-link-text:var(--red-500);--bde-woo-notices__error-link-text-hover:var(--red-500);--bde-woo-notices__info-background:var(--sky-100);--bde-woo-notices__info-text:var(--sky-500);--bde-woo-notices__info-link-text:var(--sky-500);--bde-woo-notices__info-link-text-hover:var(--sky-500);--bde-woo-notices__success-background:var(--emerald-100);--bde-woo-notices__success-text:var(--emerald-700);--bde-woo-notices__success-link-text:var(--emerald-700);--bde-woo-notices__success-link-text-hover:var(--emerald-700);--bde-woo-sale-badge__border-radius:2px;--bde-woo-sale-badge__padding:4px 8px;--bde-woo-ratings__star-color:var(--yellow-500);--bde-woo-ratings__star-size:18px;--bde-woo-ratings__filled-star-svg:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--bde-woo-ratings__empty-star-svg:url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,');--bde-woo-product-images__border-radius:4px;--bde-woo-product-images__border-width:0px;--bde-woo-product-images__border-color:var(--grey-300);--bde-woo-wrappers__background-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-wrappers__border-radius:4px;--bde-woo-wrappers__border-color:var(--grey-300);--bde-woo-wrappers__border-width:1px;--bde-woo-wrappers__shadow:rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 3px,rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 2px;--bde-woo-tables__header-color:var(--grey-100);--bde-woo-tables__background-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-tables__border-radius:4px;--bde-woo-tables__border-width:1px;--bde-woo-widgets__chip-background-color:transparent;--bde-woo-widgets__chip-background-color-hover:var(--indigo-50);--bde-woo-widgets__chip-text-color:inherit;--bde-woo-widgets__handle-border-color:var(--grey-300);--bde-woo-widgets__handle-background-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-widgets__handle-background-color-hover:var(--white);--bde-woo-widgets__handle-shadow:rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 3px,rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 2px;--bde-woo-widgets__handle-shadow-hover:var(--grey-300) 0 0 4px;--bde-woo-widgets__remove-item-from-cart-color:var(--grey-450);--bde-woo-select2__active-item-background-color:var(--indigo-50);--bde-woo-gallery__zoom-icon-shadow:rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 3px,rgba(0,0,0,.05) 0 1px 2px;--bde-woo-payment-box-background-color:var(--grey-100);--bde-woo-payment-box-border-color:var(--grey-200);--bde-woo-payment-box-border-width:1px;--bde-woo-quicklook-button-icon:url(/wp-content/uploads/breakdance/css/icons/eye.svg);--bde-woo-quicklook-button-background-color:none;--bde-woo-quicklook-button-icon-size:20px;--bde-woo-quicklook-button-backdrop-color:rgba(0,0,0,.15);--bde-woo-quicklook-button-backdrop-opacity:.7;--bde-woo-quicklook-modal-background-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-quicklook-overlay-color:rgba(0,0,0,.7);--bde-woo-quicklook-close-button-size:2em;--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-size:1em;--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-swatch-space-between-options:10px;--bde-woo-swatch-padding:7px;--bde-woo-swatch-color-width:30px;--bde-woo-swatch-color-height:30px;--bde-woo-swatch-border:1px solid var(--grey-200);--bde-woo-swatch-border-color-hover:var(--grey-400);--bde-woo-swatch-shadow:none;--bde-woo-swatch-shadow-hover:none;--bde-woo-swatch-background:var(--white);--bde-woo-swatch-background-hover:var(--grey-50);--bde-woo-swatch-color-padding:2px;--bde-woo-swatch-tooltip-color:var(--white);--bde-woo-swatch-tooltip-background:var(--grey-900);--bde-woo-swatch-tooltip-padding:7px;--bde-woo-swatch-space-after-label:8px;--bde-woo-responsive__stack:row}:root{--bde-links-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-links-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-primary-background-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-primary-background-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color-hover);--bde-button-secondary-border-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-secondary-border-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-secondary-text-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-secondary-background-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-button-text-text-color:var(--bde-links-color);--bde-button-text-text-color-hover:var(--bde-links-color-hover);--bde-button-font-size:var(--bde-body-font-size);--bde-form-font-size:var(--bde-body-font-size);--bde-form-input-border-top-left-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-radius);--bde-form-input-border-top-right-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-radius);--bde-form-input-border-bottom-left-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-radius);--bde-form-input-border-bottom-right-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-radius);--bde-form-input-border-top:var(--bde-form-input-border-width) solid var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-form-input-border-right:var(--bde-form-input-border-width) solid var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-form-input-border-bottom:var(--bde-form-input-border-width) solid var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-form-input-border-left:var(--bde-form-input-border-width) solid var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-form-label-color:var(--bde-headings-color);--bde-form-input-focused-border-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-form-input-focused-shadow:var(--bde-brand-primary-color) 0 0 2px;--bde-form-checkbox-selected-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-z-index-lightbox:1100;--bde-z-index-popup:1050;--bde-z-index-modal:1000;--bde-z-index-modal-backdrop:calc(var(--bde-z-index-modal) - 1);--bde-z-index-high:300;--bde-z-index-medium:200;--bde-z-index-low:100;--bde-z-index-sticky:10;--bde-z-index-minicart:var(--bde-z-index-modal);--bde-z-index-minicart-backdrop:var(--bde-z-index-modal-backdrop);--bde-z-index-menu-dropdown:var(--bde-z-index-modal);--bde-z-index-menu-mobile:var(--bde-z-index-modal);--bde-z-index-menu-backdrop:var(--bde-z-index-modal-backdrop);--bde-z-index-search-fullscreen:var(--bde-z-index-modal);--bde-z-index-back-to-top:var(--bde-z-index-high);--bde-z-index-scroll-progress:var(--bde-z-index-high);--bde-z-index-header-sticky:var(--bde-z-index-medium);--bde-z-index-header-overlay:calc(var(--bde-z-index-header-sticky) - 1);--bde-z-index-social-share-buttons:var(--bde-z-index-low);--bde-woo-base-text-color:var(--bde-body-text-color);--bde-woo-base-headings-color:var(--bde-headings-color);--bde-woo-base-primary-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-woo-base-primary-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color-hover);--bde-woo-base-extra-small-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-small-gaps)/var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-small-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-space)/var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-standard-gaps:var(--bde-woo-base-space);--bde-woo-base-medium-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-space)*var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-big-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-medium-gaps)*var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-large-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-big-gaps)*var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-base-extra-large-gaps:calc(var(--bde-woo-base-large-gaps)*var(--bde-woo-base-ratio));--bde-woo-typography-ratio:var(--bde-font-size-ratio);--bde-woo-typography__size-small:calc(var(--bde-woo-typography__size-standard)/var(--bde-woo-typography-ratio));--bde-woo-typography__size-small-font-family:var(--bde-body-font-family);--bde-woo-typography__size-standard:var(--bde-body-font-size);--bde-woo-typography__size-standard-font-family:var(--bde-body-font-family);--bde-woo-typography__size-medium:calc(var(--bde-woo-typography__size-standard)*var(--bde-woo-typography-ratio));--bde-woo-typography__size-medium-font-family:var(--bde-heading-font-family);--bde-woo-typography__size-large:calc(var(--bde-woo-typography__size-medium)*var(--bde-woo-typography-ratio));--bde-woo-typography__size-large-font-family:var(--bde-heading-font-family);--bde-woo-typography__size-extra-large:calc(var(--bde-woo-typography__size-large)*var(--bde-woo-typography-ratio));--bde-woo-typography__size-extra-large-font-family:var(--bde-heading-font-family);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__text-link-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__text-link-color-hover:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__nav-link-color:var(--bde-woo-base-text-color);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__nav-link-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-base-text-on-primary-color);--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__nav-link-color-active:var(--bde-woo-base-primary-color);--bde-woo-forms__spacing-after-label:var(--bde-form-after-label);--bde-woo-forms__spacing-between-fields:var(--bde-form-gap);--bde-woo-forms__spacing-between-columns:var(--bde-woo-base-extra-large-gaps);--bde-woo-forms__labels-color:var(--bde-form-label-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-background-color:var(--bde-form-input-background-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-text-color:var(--bde-form-text-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-placeholder-color:var(--bde-form-input-placeholder-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-border-color:var(--bde-form-input-border-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-border-width:var(--bde-form-input-border-width);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-border-radius:var(--bde-form-input-border-top-left-radius) var(--bde-form-input-border-top-right-radius) var(--bde-form-input-border-bottom-right-radius) var(--bde-form-input-border-bottom-left-radius);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-background-color-focused:var(--bde-form-input-focused-background-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-border-color-focused:var(--bde-form-input-focused-border-color);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-shadow-focused:var(--bde-form-input-focused-shadow);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-shadow:var(--bde-form-input-input-shadow);--bde-woo-forms__inputs-select2-hover-item:var(--bde-woo-base-primary-color);--bde-woo-forms__labels-required-color:var(--bde-form-label-required-color);--bde-woo-forms__labels-required-size:var(--bde-form-label-required-size);--bde-woo-forms__labels-required-nudge-x:var(--bde-form-label-required-nudge-x);--bde-woo-forms__labels-required-nudge-y:var(--bde-form-label-required-nudge-y);--bde-woo-tables__border-color:var(--bde-woo-base-border-color);--bde-woo-sale-badge__background-color:var(--bde-woo-base-primary-color);--bde-woo-sale-badge__text-color:var(--bde-woo-base-text-on-primary-color);--bde-woo-sale-badge__font-weight:var(--bde-woo-typography-font-weight-heavy);--bde-woo-sale-badge__font-size:var(--bde-woo-typography__size-standard);--bde-woo-widgets__chip-text-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-buttons-and-links__text-link-color);--bde-woo-widgets__handle-border-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-base-primary-color);--bde-woo-notices__padding-left:calc(var(--bde-woo-notices__padding) + var(--bde-woo-notices__icon-size) + (var(--bde-woo-notices__icon-size)/2));--bde-woo-quicklook-button-text-color:var(--bde-button-primary-text-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-button-background-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-quicklook-button-background-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-button-icon-spacing:var(--bde-woo-base-standard-gaps);--bde-woo-quicklook-close-button-color:var(--bde-woo-base-headings-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-background-color:var(--bde-brand-primary-color);--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-background-color-hover:var(--bde-woo-quicklook-arrow-background-color);--bde-woo-swatch-space-between-items:var(--bde-woo-base-medium-gaps);--bde-woo-swatch-background-selected:var(--bde-woo-swatch-background-hover);--bde-woo-swatch-border-color-selected:var(--bde-woo-swatch-border-color-hover);--bde-woo-swatch-shadow-selected:var(--bde-woo-swatch-shadow-hover);--bde-woo-swatch-color-background:var(--bde-woo-swatch-background)}:root{--bde-base-font-size:18px}.breakdance *,.breakdance *:before,.breakdance *:after{box-sizing:border-box}.breakdance img{max-width:100%;height:auto}.breakdance figure{width:100%;margin-left:0;margin-right:0}.breakdance-rich-text-styles>*:first-child{margin-top:0}.screen-reader-text{border:0;clip:rect(1px,1px,1px,1px);-webkit-clip-path:inset(50%);clip-path:inset(50%);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:normal!important;word-wrap:normal!important;padding:0;position:absolute!important;width:1px}.breakdance{background-color:var(--bde-background-color);color:var(--bde-body-text-color)}.breakdance h1{color:var(--bde-headings-color)}.breakdance a{color:var(--bde-links-color)}.breakdance{font-family:var(--bde-body-font-family);font-size:var(--bde-body-font-size)}.breakdance h1{font-family:var(--bde-heading-font-family)}.breakdance h1{font-size:var(--bde-h1-font-size)}.breakdance{color:#333;line-height:1.5}.breakdance .bde-section-158-115{background-color:#5b71c9}.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}@media (max-width:1119px){.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116.bde-columns{flex-direction:column;flex-wrap:nowrap}.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116.bde-columns>.bde-column{width:100%}}@media (max-width:1023px){.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}}@media (max-width:767px){.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}}@media (max-width:479px){.breakdance .bde-columns-158-116{--columnCount:2}}.breakdance .bde-column-158-117{--column-width:37.96%}.breakdance .bde-image-158-119 .breakdance-image-container{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px}.breakdance .bde-image-158-119 .breakdance-image-clip{border-top:4px solid #fff;border-bottom:4px solid #fff;border-left:4px solid #fff;border-right:4px solid #fff;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px}.breakdance .bde-column-158-118{--column-width:62.04%;align-items:center;text-align:center;justify-content:center}.breakdance .bde-heading-158-101{color:#fff}.breakdance .bde-section-158-106 .section-container{padding-bottom:0;padding-top:0}.breakdance .bde-rich-text-158-107{margin-top:59px}.breakdance .bde-section-124-100{background-color:#fff}.breakdance .bde-section-124-100 .section-container{padding-bottom:10px;padding-top:10px}.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}@media (max-width:1119px){.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101.bde-columns{flex-direction:column;flex-wrap:nowrap}.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101.bde-columns>.bde-column{width:100%}}@media (max-width:1023px){.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}}@media (max-width:767px){.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}}@media (max-width:479px){.breakdance .bde-columns-124-101{--columnCount:3}}.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{--column-width:10.18%}@media (max-width:1119px){.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{align-items:center;text-align:center}}@media (max-width:1023px){.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{align-items:center;text-align:center}}@media (max-width:767px){.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{align-items:center;text-align:center}}@media (max-width:479px){.breakdance .bde-column-124-102{align-items:center;text-align:center}}.breakdance .bde-image-124-105{width:100px}.breakdance .bde-image-124-105 .breakdance-image-object{width:100%;height:auto}.breakdance .bde-column-124-103{--column-width:80.33%;align-items:center;text-align:center;justify-content:center}@media (min-width:768px){.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu{--link-effect-color:#5b71c9;--link-effect-color-hover:#5b71c9}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu-link{font-family:"Poppins",sans-serif;font-size:18px}}@media (max-width:767px){.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu{--links-gap:0;--dropdown-link-icon-display:none;--dropdown-link-description-display:none;--dropdown-links-gap:var(--gap-none)}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu-list{align-items:stretch;background-color:var(--menu-background);display:none;flex-direction:column;left:var(--mobile-offset-x);max-height:var(--menu-max-height);overflow-y:auto;position:absolute;top:var(--mobile-offset-y,100%);width:100vw;z-index:var(--bde-z-index-menu-mobile)}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu-list>:last-child{border-bottom:var(--link-border)}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu .breakdance-menu-link{border-top:var(--link-border);outline-offset:-1px;padding:var(--mobile-link-padding-top) var(--mobile-link-padding-right) var(--mobile-link-padding-bottom) var(--mobile-link-padding-left)}.breakdance .bde-wp-menu-124-106 .breakdance-menu-toggle{display:flex}}.breakdance .bde-column-124-104{--column-width:9.49%;align-items:center;text-align:center;justify-content:center}.breakdance .bde-search-form-124-107 .search-form__button--full-screen{font-size:20px;background-color:#5b71c9;color:#fff;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px}
Have you ever spotted those tiny, bright fruits hanging from the crab apple trees and wondered, “Can we actually eat those?” Well, you’re not alone! Today, we’re diving into the world of crab apples – those miniature cousins of our beloved, sweet apples – to discover whether they’re safe to munch on and how we can safely enjoy them.
First things first, let’s talk about what crab apples are. Crab apples, or wild apples, are the fruit of the Malus species of trees. They’re generally much smaller than the apples you buy from the grocery store and can range from tart to downright bitter in taste. But the big question on everyone’s mind is: Are they safe to eat?
Crab apples are indeed edible! They’re not poisonous, and they’re actually quite similar to regular apples, just smaller and with a more tart flavor. However, because of their sourness, they’re not usually eaten raw – at least not without a puckered face and a strong reaction to their bitterness. Instead, crab apples are often used to make jellies, jams, and sauces, where sugar or other sweeteners can help to balance their tartness.
Now, before you go ahead and harvest a basketful of crab apples, let’s discuss some important food safety tips to ensure that your foraged finds are safe and healthy to consume.
Firstly, be absolutely sure that what you’re picking is indeed a crab apple. There are many berries and small fruits that can be mistaken for crab apples and some of them might not be safe to eat. A true crab apple will resemble a miniature apple and will usually be less than two inches in diameter.
Just like regular apples, crab apples have a season when they’re ripe, which is typically in late summer to early fall. They should be firm to the touch and not too mushy. If you’re unsure about the ripeness, try one! If it’s unbearably sour or bitter, it may not be ready to eat.
Once you’ve picked your crab apples, it’s important to prepare them properly. Here’s how:
Because of their tartness, crab apples lend themselves well to recipes that include sugar or sweeteners. Here are a few ideas:
The CDC and FDA have not specifically highlighted crab apples as a common source of foodborne illness, but general guidance on fruit consumption should still be followed. This includes proper identification, washing, and preparation to avoid any potential health risks.