If you've wandered into your local supermarket lately and noticed the apples looking a bit washed out, you're not imagining things.
Shoppers across Australia have been puzzled by the unusually pale appearance of this year's apple crop, but before you bypass them for imported fruit, there's a fascinating story behind those lighter hues—and some excellent reasons why you should still fill your trolley.
The culprit isn't poor quality or substandard storage. It's been Mother Nature herself, with unseasonably warm weather causing Australian apple crops to develop with less vibrant colouring than we're used to seeing.
In this Article
When the weather doesn't cooperate
Steven Davutovic from Montague Farms, one of Australia's largest apple producers, explains what's been happening in orchards from Queensland to Tasmania.
'It's been an interesting season,' he tells 9honey Kitchen. The warm autumn weather, particularly those balmy evenings, has thrown apple trees off their usual rhythm.
'Fruits don't like that warm weather. They like the cooler evenings, which has meant that apples have been probably a bit more paler than most people would like.'
While this might seem like a purely Australian phenomenon, weather volatility significantly impacts fruit production across the country, with climate change adding increasing variability to growing conditions.
Australian apple and pear production continues to be affected by the warming climate, with variable impacts across growing regions and cultivars.
The good news? That pale appearance is purely cosmetic. Davutovic emphasises that the flavour remains 'actually perfect' and 'as good as it will be. Sweet.'
Why this matters for your health
For many over 60, understanding food quality becomes increasingly important as we focus on nutrition and value for money. Here's where those pale apples shine brighter than their appearance suggests.
Apples may lower your chance of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, making them particularly valuable as we age.
Research involving more than 38,000 people found that those who ate more than one apple a day were 28 per cent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who didn't eat any apples.
Apple Health Benefits for Seniors
Apples offer significant benefits for seniors, particularly their high fiber content which becomes essential as we age to aid regular bowel movements and prevent complications such as constipation.
Apples are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, with the skin containing half of the fruit's fiber and most of its polyphenols.
Regular apple consumption has been shown to improve heart health, lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, potentially due to their high levels of dietary fiber which has been linked to lowering LDL cholesterol.
Australians eat an average of 7.82kg of apples per year, which amounts to more than one apple a week, so understanding their benefits makes sense for your long-term health strategy.
Getting the most from your apple investment
With Australia's apple industry valued at $647 million in 2022-23, there's clearly significant value in this market. But as cost-conscious consumers, how can you maximise your apple purchases?
Apple Storage Secrets for Maximum Freshness
- Apples stored in the refrigerator stay fresh for up to 10 times longer than fruit stored at room temperature
- Under ideal refrigerator conditions, apples can keep good for six to eight weeks
- Store apples in a crisper drawer, away from other produce, with humidity set to maximum
- Bruised or cut apples will go bad quickly and can easily ruin an entire batch
- The best apples for long-term storage have thick skin and are crisp and tart—varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, and Winesap can last six months or longer
Understanding these storage principles can help stretch your grocery budget significantly. Some apple varieties actually get more flavourful and sweeter as they rest in storage, with Gold Rush and Winesap both improving after a few months.
The seasonal apple calendar
Davutovic explains that Jazz apples, which have shown strong quality this season despite their pale appearance, will remain available until around Christmas.
Post-Christmas, Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples will dominate supplies, with Pink Lady being the number one seller by volume in Australia.
For stone fruit lovers, there's more good news on the horizon. 'Stone fruit will normally kick off late October,' Davutovic notes, with cherries from the Goulburn Valley and Tasmania expected to have a 'pretty strong season' starting in late November.
Did you know?
Did you know? Most supermarket apples are stored for 9-12 months in controlled atmosphere warehouses, with some averaging 14 months old by the time they reach your shopping trolley. This sophisticated storage technology maintains freshness by controlling temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels.
Smart shopping strategies
When selecting apples, don't let the pale colour deter you. Focus on firmness and avoid any with soft spots or bruises. The question shouldn't be about the 'age' of the apple, but rather about how fresh it is—the industry's goal is to provide fresh tasting apples to consumers throughout the year.
The apple industry works hard to maintain quality throughout the supply chain. Because profit margins are razor thin, the time from orchard to store shelf is usually quite short—measured in days or less for recently harvested fruit.
Whether you're dealing with pale Jazz apples now or planning ahead for the Pink Lady season, understanding these seasonal rhythms and storage techniques can help you make more informed choices and get better value from your grocery shopping.
What This Means For You
What's your experience with this year's pale apples? Have you noticed any difference in taste, and do you have any tried-and-true apple storage tips to share with fellow members?
Read more: You thought fruit juice was the healthy choice—turns out, it could be doing serious damage
Original Article
https://kitchen.nine.com.au/latest/...r-issues/91ebcb30-b690-45b8-9534-9ddc9b362a6b
Apple, Pear and Stone Fruit Growing in Australia—Market Research Report (2015-2030)
Cited text: For example, ideal weather—particularly cooler weather—boosts blossoming, pollination and yield, while excessive heat adversely impacts stone frui...
Excerpt: It's been Mother Nature herself, with unseasonably warm weather causing Australian apple crops to develop with less vibrant colouring than we're used to seeing
https://www.ibisworld.com/australia/industry/apple-pear-and-stone-fruit-growing/2067/
Apple, Pear and Stone Fruit Growing in Australia—Market Research Report (2015-2030)
Cited text: Volatile weather patterns have a significant impact on the industry growers' performance, directly affecting yield outcomes.
Excerpt: weather volatility significantly impacts fruit production across the country, with climate change adding increasing variability to growing conditions
https://www.ibisworld.com/australia/industry/apple-pear-and-stone-fruit-growing/2067/
Effects of climate change on apple and pear production | Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL)
Cited text: Climate change will add significant variability to pome fruit production systems with respect to flowering and fruit quality.
Excerpt: weather volatility significantly impacts fruit production across the country, with climate change adding increasing variability to growing conditions
https://apal.org.au/effects-climate-change-apple-pear-production/
Effects of climate change on apple and pear production | Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL)
Cited text: Australian apple and pear production is, and will continue to be, affected by the warming climate, with variable impacts across growing regions and cu...
Excerpt: Australian apple and pear production continues to be affected by the warming climate, with variable impacts across growing regions and cultivars
https://apal.org.au/effects-climate-change-apple-pear-production/
An Apple a Day? 10 Possible Benefits
Cited text: Apples may lower your chance of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Excerpt: Apples may lower your chance of developing cancer, diabetes, and heart disease
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-apples
Are Apples Good for You? 7 Health Benefits
Cited text: Good news for apple fans, though: A study of more than 38,000 people found that those who ate more than one apple a day were 28 per cent less likely to develo...
Excerpt: Research involving more than 38,000 people found that those who ate more than one apple a day were 28 per cent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who didn't eat any apples
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-apples
Harvesting the Health Benefits of Apples
Cited text: Apples are a nutritional dynamo, offering an array of benefits to seniors. One of their key benefits is their high fiber content. As we age, a high-fi...
Excerpt: Apples offer significant benefits for seniors, particularly their high fiber content which becomes essential as we age to aid regular bowel movements and prevent complications such as constipation
https://www.seniorhelpers.com/ca/san-rafael-marin/resources/blogs/2023-09-13/
An Apple a Day? 10 Possible Benefits
Cited text: Apples are also a rich source of polyphenols, an important group of antioxidants.
Excerpt: Apples are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, with the skin containing half of the fruit's fiber and most of its polyphenols
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-apples
An Apple a Day? 10 Possible Benefits
Cited text: The skin contains half of the fruit’s fiber and most of its polyphenols.
Excerpt: Apples are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, with the skin containing half of the fruit's fiber and most of its polyphenols
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-apples
Green Apples: Health Benefits, Nutrients per Serving, Preparation Information, and More
Cited text: Eating apples has been shown to improve heart health, lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Excerpt: Regular apple consumption has been shown to improve heart health, lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, potentially due to their high levels of dietary fiber which has been linked to lowering LDL cholesterol
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-green-apples
Green Apples: Health Benefits, Nutrients per Serving, Preparation Information, and More
Cited text: One contributing factor may be the high levels of dietary fiber in apples, as dietary fiber has been linked to lowering LDLcholesterol.
Excerpt: Regular apple consumption has been shown to improve heart health, lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, potentially due to their high levels of dietary fiber which has been linked to lowering LDL cholesterol
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-green-apples
Industry Stats | Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL)
Cited text: In 2012-23, Australians ate an average of 7.82kg of apples per year which amounts to more than one apple a week, and they eat around 2.03kg of pears a...
Excerpt: Australians eat an average of 7.82kg of apples per year, which amounts to more than one apple a week
https://apal.org.au/programs/industry-data/industry-stats/
Industry Stats | Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL)
Cited text: ... For the year 2022-23, Australia’s apple industry was valued at $647 million, while the pear industry was valued at around $126 million.
Excerpt: Australia's apple industry valued at $647 million in 2022-23
https://apal.org.au/programs/industry-data/industry-stats/
Do Apples Need Refrigerated? - Sunrise Orchards
Cited text: In fact, apples stored in the refrigerator will stay fresh for up to 10 times longer than fruit stored at room temperature.
Excerpt: Apples stored in the refrigerator stay fresh for up to 10 times longer than fruit stored at room temperature
https://www.sunriseapples.com/blog/do-apples-need-refrigerated
How to Store Apples for Best Storage Results: Full Guide
Cited text: Under ideal temperature in the fridge’s crisper unit, apples can keep good for six to eight weeks if you’ve done a good job at selecting firm, bruise-...
Excerpt: Under ideal refrigerator conditions, apples can keep good for six to eight weeks
https://www.organiccottonmart.com/blogs/sustainable-lifestyle/how-to-store-apples
Do Apples Need Refrigerated? - Sunrise Orchards
Cited text: · STORAGE TIPS—To ensure your apples have the longest lifespan possible: · Store apples in a crisper drawer, away from other produce, with humidity...
Excerpt: Store apples in a crisper drawer, away from other produce, with humidity set to maximum
https://www.sunriseapples.com/blog/do-apples-need-refrigerated
Do Apples Need Refrigerated? - Sunrise Orchards
Cited text: If your refrigerator has an option to adjust the humidity, in the crisper drawer, turn it up as high as it can go.
Excerpt: Store apples in a crisper drawer, away from other produce, with humidity set to maximum
https://www.sunriseapples.com/blog/do-apples-need-refrigerated
How to Store Apples Long Term and Short Term | Wholefully
Cited text: Bruised or cut apples will go bad quite quickly and can easily ruin an entire batch (hence the phrase “one bad apple spoils the whole bunch”).
Excerpt: Bruised or cut apples will go bad quickly and can easily ruin an entire batch
https://wholefully.com/how-to-store-apples/
How to Store Apples: 2 Ways to Store Fresh Apples—2025—MasterClass
Cited text: The best apples to store long-term have thick skin and are crisp and tart. Apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Fuji, McIntosh, Fuji, Winesap, Honeyc...
Excerpt: The best apples for long-term storage have thick skin and are crisp and tart—varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, and Winesap can last six months or longer
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-store-apples
How to Store Apples Long Term and Short Term | Wholefully
Cited text: Some apple varieties actually get more flavorful and sweeter as they rest in storage. Gold Rush and Winesap both get more flavorful after a few months...
Excerpt: Some apple varieties actually get more flavourful and sweeter as they rest in storage, with Gold Rush and Winesap both improving after a few months
https://wholefully.com/how-to-store-apples/
Industry Stats | Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL)
Cited text: All states produce apples and Victoria is the largest pear producer, with over 90 per cent of the nation’s pears grown in the Goulburn Valley region.
Excerpt: Pink Lady being the number one seller by volume in Australia
https://apal.org.au/programs/industry-data/industry-stats/
Your Apples Are A Year Old | Food Renegade
Cited text: They pick the apples when they’re slightly unripe, treat them with a chemical called 1-methylcyclopropene, wax them, box them, stack them on pallets, ...
Excerpt: Most supermarket apples are stored for 9-12 months in controlled atmosphere warehouses, with some averaging 14 months old by the time they reach your shopping trolley
https://www.foodrenegade.com/your-apples-year-old/
Your Apples Are A Year Old | Food Renegade
Cited text: According to Martin Lindstrom, author of Brandwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy, the average supermarket app...
Excerpt: Most supermarket apples are stored for 9-12 months in controlled atmosphere warehouses, with some averaging 14 months old by the time they reach your shopping trolley
https://www.foodrenegade.com/your-apples-year-old/
Apple Storage Backgrounder—USApple
Cited text: The question should not be about the “age” of the apple, or the time since it was picked, but rather it should be about how fresh the apple is. Grower...
Excerpt: The question shouldn't be about the 'age' of the apple, but rather about how fresh it is—the industry's goal is to provide fresh tasting apples to consumers throughout the year
https://usapple.org/news-resources/apple-storage-backgrounder
Apple Stages: From the Tree to the Grocery Store—USApple
Cited text: Because profit margins in the apple industry are razor thin, all parts of the supply chain from grower to retailer are very cost conscious. Therefore,...
Excerpt: Because profit margins are razor thin, the time from orchard to store shelf is usually quite short—measured in days or less
https://usapple.org/news-resources/apple-stages-from-the-tree-to-the-grocery-store
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