Apples
苹果 · epal
Apples in October (this month)
Look for USA, China, South Korea, France, Italy, Poland
These origins are in fresh-crop season. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile are stored fruit.
JapanUSAChinaSouth KoreaFranceItalyPolandAustraliaNew ZealandSouth AfricaChile
Fresh cropStored / lateNot shipping
Fresh crop now (6)
US
USAWashington State
Fresh cropFuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Granny Smith
New crop, harvest 1 month in
Harvest Aug–Nov. Controlled-atmosphere storage keeps them on shelves into summer, but crunch fades from spring.
CN
ChinaShaanxi, Shandong
Fresh cropFuji, Gala, Qinguan
Harvest just started
Harvest Sep–Nov. Short shipping time to Singapore keeps new-crop fruit fresh.
KR
South KoreaGyeongbuk
Fresh cropFuji (Busa), Hongro
Harvest just started
Harvest Sep–Nov. Mostly seen around Chuseok and year-end gift season.
FR
FranceLoire, south-west
Fresh cropPink Lady, Gala, Granny Smith
New crop, harvest 1 month in
Harvest Aug–Oct. Pink Lady from France tends to arrive later in the year than Gala.
IT
ItalySouth Tyrol, Trentino
Fresh cropEnvy, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady
New crop, harvest 1 month in
Harvest Aug–Oct. Strong storage programmes, so Italian Envy turns up well into the following year.
PL
PolandGrójec region
Fresh cropGala, Golden Delicious, Idared
Harvest just started
Harvest Sep–Oct. Smaller, sweeter fruit. Less common on Singapore shelves.
Stored or late season (4)
AU
AustraliaVictoria, Tasmania, WA
StoredPink Lady, Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Kanzi
About 7 months since harvest
Harvest Feb–May. Pink Lady was bred in Western Australia and is usually the last variety picked, in April–May.
NZ
New ZealandHawke's Bay, Nelson
StoredEnvy, Jazz, Royal Gala, Rockit, Pacific Rose
About 7 months since harvest
Harvest Feb–May. Singapore's main source of new-crop apples from April to August.
ZA
South AfricaWestern Cape
StoredGranny Smith, Pink Lady, Royal Gala, Golden Delicious
About 7 months since harvest
Harvest Feb–May. Good value, especially Granny Smith and Pink Lady mid-year.
CL
ChileMaule, O'Higgins
StoredRoyal Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady
About 7 months since harvest
Harvest Feb–May, shipped by sea over about five weeks.
Skip this month (1)
JP
JapanAomori, Nagano
Off seasonSun Fuji, Fuji, Ourin
Not shipping now
Harvest Oct–Nov. Premium, best sweet and crisp from November to January.
How to pick at the shelf
- FeelFirm all over, with no soft spots when pressed gently.
- WeightHeavy for its size.
- SkinSmooth and tight. Wrinkles mean long storage.
- AvoidBruises and punctures, especially near the stem.
At home
KeepFridge
Lasts3–6 weeks
Apples give off ethylene gas, which ripens other fruit faster. Keep them in the crisper, away from bananas and kiwis.
Brand or variety on the label
Buying tips (3)
- Northern origins are freshest Sep–Dec. From about March, Australian apples are the new crop and Northern apples have been stored for months.
- Storage apples are still fine to eat. They just lose some crunch and juice. Press gently: soft or mealy means it's been stored long.
- Southern origins (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Chile) are freshest Mar–Jul. New Zealand Envy and Jazz arrive from about April.
Common questions
- When is apples season in Singapore?
- Japan: Nov–Jan; USA: Sep–Dec; China: Oct–Jan; South Korea: Oct–Dec; France: Sep–Dec; Italy: Sep–Dec; Poland: Oct–Dec; Australia: Mar–Jun; New Zealand: Mar–Jun; South Africa: Mar–May; Chile: Mar–May. Fresh-crop months by origin.
- Which country's apples is best in October?
- Look for USA, China, South Korea, France, Italy, Poland.
- How do I pick a ripe apples?
- Feel: Firm all over, with no soft spots when pressed gently. Weight: Heavy for its size. Skin: Smooth and tight. Wrinkles mean long storage. Avoid: Bruises and punctures, especially near the stem.
- How should I store apples?
- Fridge. Lasts 3–6 weeks. Apples give off ethylene gas, which ripens other fruit faster. Keep them in the crisper, away from bananas and kiwis.