Ever wondered why apples turn brown after cutting them? I sure did! Especially when my kids leave half-eaten apples all over the kitchen, I leave them out to observe how long it takes for the apples to turn brown (pure scientific curiosity, not laziness 😉). Some apples seem to brown within minutes, while others sit for hours without turning. So, what’s going on?
The Science Behind It: Apples contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase. When you cut an apple, the enzyme reacts with oxygen, causing the familiar browning. This is called oxidation. But not all apples brown at the same rate. This has to do with the temperature and the variety of apple. Polyphenol oxidase works best at around 20°C, and different apple varieties contain varying levels of this enzyme.
Want to slow down the browning? Simply add a bit of lemon juice (citric acid) or put the apple slices in cold water. Both tricks reduce oxidation by minimizing the apple’s exposure to oxygen.
This can even make for a fun experiment with kids (more on that below)!
If you’re even more curious about why apples brown, check out this Scientific American article that explains the science in detail, or explore this resource from Let’s Talk Science for more insights.
Before we dive into the taste test and cost breakdown, let’s set a hypothesis: I believe that homemade applesauce will be less expensive than store-bought options. Not only am I curious about the cost, but I also wonder how the taste of homemade applesauce will compare.
I may not be an applesauce expert, but I’ve found a simple, tasty recipe that’s perfect for canning. And bonus—it has a tart flavor with a lovely pink hue if you leave the skins on!
4
cups10
minutes20
minutes3 lb of red apples (~ 1.3 kg)
3 tbsp of water (~ 45 ml)
4 tsp lemon juice (~20 ml) or 1/2 lemon
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Before we dive in, I want to offer a quick disclaimer. I’m comparing this specific brand of applesauce simply because it’s what I found at my local Walmart. I don’t have any association with the brand, nor am I suggesting that Walmart always has the best deals or promotions. I chose Walmart because it’s a well-known international store, and I wanted to use a setting that many of you can relate to. It’s just practical for this comparison, not necessarily the most cost-effective option. For that reason, I’ve created a calculator at the end of this post, so you can input your own local prices and find the best cost-effective option for your situation.
Let’s break down the cost of making applesauce at home versus buying it from the store. Below is a quick look at the cost of each ingredient based on Walmart prices. As I mentioned earlier, I’m using Walmart purely for demonstration purposes. In reality, you might be able to find better deals at your local grocery store, farmers’ market, or even during apple picking season! (Who doesn’t love a good trip to the orchard?). If you’re lucky, you might even score some great deals on Facebook Marketplace or other local sources.
And if you’re curious about what this would cost in your situation, there’s a handy cost calculator at the end of this post. Plug in your local prices and see what it’ll cost you!
Homemade Applesauce Ingredient Costs:
| Ingredient | Quantity Used | Cost of Full Product | Product Size | Cost per Recipe | Link to current price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apples | 3 lb (1.36 kg) | $3.97 | 1360.78 g | $3.97 | Apples (Walmart) |
| Lemon Juice | 4 tsp (20 ml) | $0.87 | ~40 ml | $0.44 | Lemon (Walmart) |
| Cinnamon Stick | 1 stick (2g) | $2.27 | 75g (~25 sticks) | $0.09 | Cinnamon Sticks (Walmart) |
Total cost for this recipe = $4.50 for 1000 ml of applesauce. That breaks down to $0.45 per 100 ml. So, not too shabby, right?
When you’re looking into bulk canning, the initial costs might seem high, but over time, it becomes more cost-effective—especially during apple season, where you can get deals like 40 lb bags of apples for $25.
For 40 lb apples, it would yield around 13 servings (~13 litres), so it is going to be needed 26 jars of 500 ml jars, or pint size jars, for the calculations. Lets round to 24 jars, which means 2 packages of 12 at $14.99 + tax in Canadian Tire. This size is practical as it allows you to store just enough without risking spoilage, while still being economical. For water bath canning, remember you’ll need a tall pot that can cover the jars by about 2 inches with water to ensure proper sealing. Remember, every case is different, and I provided a calculator at the bottom that I will help to calculate the cost in your specific case.
For this part of the calculations, I substituted fresh lemon juice with bottled lemon juice for convenience. In an upcoming post, we’ll dive into which option is more cost-effective for canning!
At the end of this post, you’ll find useful links to jars, lids, water bath canners, and other essential canning equipment if you’re just getting started.
For this particular applesauce recipe, let’s look at the impact of these costs.
Bulk Canning Cost:
| Scenario | Cost per 1000 ml |
|---|---|
| First Year (jars included) | $0.47 |
| Following Years (just lids) | $0.26 |
While the initial costs of canning jars can be high, the long-term savings add up if you make applesauce regularly. Plus, you get to control the ingredients and reduce packaging waste—a win for your wallet and the environment!
Store-bought unsweetened applesauce, like Mott’s Fruitsations (see on Open Food Facts), typically contains only apples , water and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is usually synthetically created for food processing. Although it’s an artificial version, the molecule is identical to the naturally occurring one in foods, so there’s no difference in its benefits.
In fact, the ingredients in unsweetened applesauce on the market aren’t bad at all, and many have an A or B rating on Open Food Facts, indicating good nutritional quality.
On the other hand, homemade applesauce lets you customize ingredients to add extra benefits. Using apples with their peels increases fiber content, and adding fresh lemon juice not only provides vitamin C but also other nutrients like potassium and antioxidants such as hesperidin (you can read more on Healthline). These additional elements not only enhance nutritional value, but the lemon also adds a fresh, tart flavor that deepens the taste of the applesauce.
I was a bit hesitant to compare my homemade applesauce to the store-bought one. It’s always tricky tasting something you’ve made yourself because you might be a little biased, right? So, my son volunteered to give his most honest opinion. To make sure it was fair, I blindfolded him and even swapped the applesauces around, just to make sure there was no way he could guess which one was homemade (pinky color was a clue).
Now, I’ll admit, I was in a rush when I bought the store-bought applesauce and didn’t realize I had grabbed one with added sugar. So, it wasn’t exactly a fair comparison since the homemade one didn’t have any added sweetness. Knowing how much kids love sweet things, I figured my son would definitely choose the store-bought version.
But to my surprise (and with a little proud-mom moment), he actually chose the homemade applesauce! Even though it was a bit more tart, he said he liked it better. I think it’s all about the natural flavor of the apples—you really get to taste the richness and freshness in the homemade version. I’m not usually a huge applesauce fan, but after this, I’m seriously considering canning a few jars for him. The taste can definitely vary depending on the type of apples you use, but it’s worth it!
And here’s the proof—an empty bowl, which says it all!
| Item | Cost | Quantity (ml) | Cost per 100ml | Price Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mott’s Fruitsations Unsweetened | $2.97 | 620 | $0.48 | View on Walmart |
| Apple Snax Applesauce Unsweetened | $2.99 | 620 | $0.48 | View on Walmart |
| Bulk Canning (First Year) | $4.70 | 1000 | $0.47 | — |
| Homemade Applesauce | $4.50 | 1000 | $0.45 | — |
| Great Value Applesauce | $1.97 | 620 | $0.32 | View on Walmart |
| Bulk Canning (Following Years) | $2.63 | 1000 | $0.26 | — |
The answer is (as usual) — it depends on your situation. Canning is, hands down, the cheapest option over time, but there’s a catch: you need to make an upfront investment in jars, lids, funnels, and a tall pot to seal the jars properly. It also gives you more control over ingredients and reduces packaging waste, so eco points for canning! On the other hand, not everyone has the time (or patience) for canning, and that initial cost can be a barrier.
My original assumption was that homemade applesauce would be cheaper than store-bought options overall.
The hypothesis was partially correct. Homemade applesauce is indeed cheaper than well-known brands like Mott’s Fruitsations and Apple Snax, but it’s actually more expensive than store-brand options like Great Value applesauce.
Homemade applesauce comes out about 6% cheaper than the brand-name option, but it’s 29% more expensive than the store brand. So, if you’re just looking for the cheapest option with the least hassle, Great Value applesauce might win. However, if you want to control the ingredients, minimize packaging waste, and enjoy making your own homemade or canned applesauce could still be the better choice for you.
Ultimately, it comes down to whether the flexibility, ingredient control, and reduced waste outweigh the extra time and cost for you. I’d say some products are worth the canning effort, but applesauce? It’s a toss-up.
To make it easier for you, I’ve added a cost calculator where you can input the ingredient quantities and prices to see how much your homemade applesauce costs compared to store-bought options. Try it out!
Enter Your Ingredients: Start by entering the amount and price of each ingredient you’ll be using. Got a big batch of apples? Type in the quantity and price! Need a splash of lemon juice or a dash of cinnamon? Add those too. Note that ingredient prices can be zero, but quantities are required for calculations.
Choose Your Units: The calculator is flexible! Whether your apples are in kilograms or pounds, or your lemon juice is in milliliters or ounces, simply select the correct unit, and the calculator will handle conversions—no need for mental math (phew!).
Estimate Jar and Lid Costs: Enter the cost and number of jars you’ll use for canning. If you’re unsure, note that jar and lid costs start at zero by default—you can adjust these as needed for accuracy.
Calculate and View Results: After entering all necessary information, the calculator will automatically estimate servings based only on the quantity of apples and and the final cost per delicious serving of applesauce.
Get the kids involved in a little kitchen science! Here’s a fun and easy experiment to teach them about oxidation.
The Apple Browning Experiment:
This experiment is a great way for kids to learn how citric acid (lemon juice) and water can slow down the browning process. Let them predict the results and see the science in action!
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