A crabapple is a small, sour apple that grows on crabapple trees throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Unlike the sweet apples you buy at the grocery store, crabapples are tart and astringent, making your mouth pucker if you bite into one raw. They're usually about the size of a cherry or golf ball, much smaller than regular apples.

While most people don't eat crabapples fresh, they're perfect for making jellies, jams, and sauces because their tartness balances out added sugar. Their high pectin content (a natural thickener) makes them especially good for preserves. Some people also use them in pies mixed with sweeter apples.

Crabapple trees are popular for planting in yards and parks because they produce beautiful pink or white blossoms in spring and colorful fruit in fall. Birds and other wildlife love eating the small apples through winter. The trees are also important in orchards: their abundant flowers can help pollinate nearby apple trees.