Granny Smith apples have a tart, tangy flavor with a hard, crisp bite. As Granny Smith apples over ripen they turn from green to yellow and the acidity mellows significantly providing a balance between sweet and tart. Excellent for eating raw, sautés, and salads. Excellent for pies, and baking.s.arles Estienne, who was a horticulturist, was one of the first person to mention it, in 1540.