Summer isn’t over quite yet, but fall feels like it’s already creeping in. And nothing is more synonymous with fall than freshly harvested apples! Whether you’re picking them straight from the tree at Avila Valley Barn or taking a fresh apple pie out of the oven, apples are truly the star of the season. Apples have a long-standing history in the United States and have been grown here for hundreds of years. Many people are familiar with the tale of Johnny Appleseed, but he wasn’t responsible for bringing the first apples to the United States. European settlers, including the Pilgrims who settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 1600s, planted apple trees when they established communities.
Though Washington is the state most associated with apples, California has a thriving apple industry of its own. El Dorado County, located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, is the state’s top apple-producing county. You’ll commonly find apples grown in areas with cooler nighttime temperatures, which help the trees thrive and develop quality fruit.
Apples are a permanent crop, so even when the trees are dormant during the winter, there’s still plenty happening in the orchard. Winter pruning helps shape the trees and allows more sunlight to reach the canopy. One of the most exciting times of year, though, is spring, when the orchards burst into bloom and set the pace for the rest of the growing season!
In California, apple bloom generally occurs from late March through mid-May, depending on the weather and growing region. Apples aren’t self-pollinating, so they rely on cross-pollination between different varieties to produce fruit. Bees play an important role in moving pollen from one flower to another. Once a flower is successfully pollinated, its petals fall away and a tiny apple begins to form.
After months of growth, apples are generally ready to be harvested in late summer and fall. An early-season variety like Gala, which is featured in the box this week, is typically ready to come off the tree by the end of August. Galas are known for their sweet flavor, low acidity, and crisp texture. Later-season varieties, like Pink Lady and Fuji, are known for their juicy crunch and exceptional flavor.
Did you know that many conventional grocery store apples are coated with a food-grade wax to help retain moisture and maintain firmness? This helps extend their shelf life, allowing apples to be stored for months after harvest. That’s one reason it’s important to support our California apple growers, like Cuyama Orchards and Gopher Glen. When you choose locally grown California apples, you can enjoy the incredible flavor of an apple that’s harvested much closer to home – and support the growers who make California’s apple season so special!
