Avoid storing your apples near onion or potatoes. They'll readily absorb the flavor of other foods and could ripen prematurely.
Store your apples in a cool basement, garage, shed, fruit cellar or refrigerator. The ideal storage temperature is 30-32°F with 90 percent humidity. Apples are likely to suffer freeze damage if the temperature dips below 30°; and will ripen quickly, if the temperature rises above 40°, so do your best to match these conditions.

McIntosh apples can be used cooked or raw and in both sweet and savory preparations. Add slices atop a pizza or tart, use chopped as a stuffing or puree and add to a soup. The flesh of the McIntosh apple is delicate and will breakdown when cooked. Pair with dense apples such as Granny Smith, Rome, Green Dragon or Fuji to make pie filling or slow cook to make sauces and chutney. Diced McIntosh will add sweetness and moisture to cakes, breads and cookies. Their slightly spicy flavor and juiciness makes them a perfect apple for use in juice and cider. Its flavor pairs well with maple, pecans, celery, pork, blackberries, cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg and flavorful cheeses such as feta, gorgonzola and sharp cheddar.

McIntosh apples are low in calories, high in water content and offer a fair amount of vitamins A, C and B. They also contain a dietary fiber known as pectin.