How to pick

Here is your one stop shop for apple information! We hope you enjoy our orchard as much as we do. Keep reading for some interesting information about apples.

How to pick an apple

1. Wash hands according to our Good Agricultural Practices page.
2. Place the palm of your hand on the bottom of the apple
3. Gently wrap your fingers around without squeezing too hard
4. Roll the apple around the branch (this ‘peels’ the stem off the branch)
5. Gently place the apple in your container. Dropping or throwing an apple could bruise them!
6. Remember: Roll the eye to the sky. Roll up, don’t pull!

Apple Storage

• Keep apples in a cold but above freezing area, such as a fridge or garage.
• Cover loosely in order to hold in moisture.
• The white coating on the apple is a natural wax  called the “bloom” which helps reduce moisture loss and preserve the apple.
• Apples produce ethylene, which will ripen the fruit, so allow the apples to breathe.
• Follow these tips and your apples will last for several weeks!

Apple Nutrition

• Apples are a good source of vitamin A, C, thiamine, and riboflavin.
• The skin of an apple is the best part. Almost half of the vitamin C is found just under the skin.
• They are high in potassium and low in sodium, and even contain small amounts of calcium, phosphorus and iron.
• An excellent source of antioxidants and soluble fiber.
• Almost 85% of an apple is naturally filtered water.
• Please see the Health Canada Nutrient File for more information.

Other tips

• Pick from the outside of the tree inwards, since those apples ripen first.
• Never pull the apple straight away from the branch. This could shake more apples off and bruise them.