Ha! For every apple type and pie baker there is a preference. I live in Central New York State, Apple Country! My default apples for pies are Cortland's and here's why. Of all the "major" pie apples grown here (Northern Spy, Mac's, Golden varieties, a few more), Cortland are the most consistent from year to year in spite of drought, temp extremes, etc. For example, this year has been very dry, apples are on the small side and seem not to make much juice when mixed. I couldn't get Cortlands at my local farm stand so used Spy's. I baked my usual time and the Spy's turned to mush and collapsed. Cortlands would not have done that.

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