Ahhh, apples! So good for everything from an afternoon snack to a magnificent double-crusted apple pie. I'm willing to bet that most of us have an apple tucked away in a backpack or in a drawer beneath our desks right this very second. But how well do you know that apple? I recently learned a few applicious facts that might surprise you.
Although the information for this list was gathered on a visit to Rainier Fruit Company in Washington State, I want to emphasize and underline that these opinions are my own. This is information that I extrapolated based on multiple conversations with Rainier's growers, orchard managers, production managers, and other employees over the course of the trip.
1. The Reddest Apples Are The Sweetest Apples:
For years now, the Red Delicious apple has been considered the peak of apple perfection due to its gorgeous and completely uniform red skin. It's what we've come to expect from our apples, assuming that red skin means sweet fruit. But in real life, apples come in a lot of colorseven Red Delicious. They have streaks of green or speckles of yellow or different hues of red. These are not imperfections or signs of a less-than-sweet apple, but just natural variations. If you've ever been hesitant to try an apple because of its mottled skin, take a chance next time and give that apple a try. You can trust that growers like Rainier are picking apples at the peak of their perfection, no matter their streaks or speckles.
2. Conventionally Grown Apples Are "Dirty":
Conventional apples have gotten a bad rap over the past few years for appearing at the top of the Environmental Working Group(EWG)'s Dirty Dozen listand since the list is alphabetical, apples get a double whammy by being at the top, which gives the impression that they are the most dirty. In fact, Rainier Fruit orchard manager Ron W. explained to us that their conventional and organic apples are grown almost exactly the same. The biggest difference is not actually in pest prevention, but in the fertilizer. Organic fertilizer is not as fast acting at providing nutrients to the apple trees and is also very labor intensive, which increases the cost to grow them and ultimately price of the apples. Rainier has all their apples tested frequently by a third-party testing facility, both for their own knowledge and to meet retailer requirements, and their apples have always tested completely safe by all federal and industry standards. (For more information on this read this article by Robert Krieger from the University of California: Perspective on Pesticide Residues in Fruits and Vegetables)
3. Late-Winter Apples Are From the Bottom of the Barrel:
I have always assumed that if I buy apples in February or March, I am buying out-of-season apples that are probably no longer very good. The truth is that many apple varieties improve after a few months of cold storage. Their sugars concentrate and their tartness mellows out. Growers intentionally hold back these apples in cool storage until they reach their peak, usually a few months after picking. Look for Pink Lady, Braeburn, Junami, and Lady Alice varieties in late winter.
4. Mealy Apples Were Poorly Grown:
Mealy apples are a sign of poor handling at some point along the chain after the apple leaves the orchard. Yes, it could happen at the grower, but it could also happen at the grocery store or even on your own counter. Out of cold storage, the cell structure of the apple quickly starts to break down and the apple loses its crisp texture. This happens more quickly with some apple varieties (like Red Delicious and Braeburns), but should never be taken as a sign that the apple was poorly grown or that the variety is always "bad." If you are getting consistently mealy apples from a particular source, talk to them about their handling practices. At home, always store apples in your refrigerator crisper drawer.
5. Big Apple Growers Are All Corporate Farms:
Rainier Fruit Company is one of the largest apple growers and distributors in the country, and it is family owned and operated. They have been growing fruit for going on five generations in Washington State! Representatives from Rainier also spoke respectfully of their competitors, explaining that the vast majority of them are also family owned and operated. Bottom line: when you buy an apple, whether you're at the farmers' market or the grocery store, you're probably buying from a family farm. If you ever have a problem or any questions about your apples, find the company's phone number on the internet and give them a call.
Do any of these surprise you? What are your thoughts?
Related: Apple Season is Upon Us! 15 Sweet & Savory Apple Recipes
(Information for this post was gathered during a press trip to Yakima, Washington sponsored by Rainier Fruit Company. All views and opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author.)
(Image: Emma Christensen)
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