Culinary apples are varieties specifically grown for cooking and baking rather than for fresh eating. These apples tend to have a firmer texture and a balanced flavor, making them ideal for recipes. Common culinary apple varieties include Granny Smith, Braeburn, and Honeycrisp, each offering unique tastes and cooking properties. When used in dishes, culinary apples can enhance flavors in pies, sauces, and savory meals. Their ability to hold shape during cooking makes them a popular choice for desserts like apple pie and crumble. Overall, culinary apples are essential for many traditional and modern recipes.