Fuji apples remain exceedingly popular which is down to how sweet they are but also how crisp. They are a great source of vitamin C and can be eaten raw but also excel in cooking and baking recipes.
You can even incorporate a few slices into a salad or include some with oatmeal. Fuji apples have a hometown of Fujisaki in Japan, which may seem incredibly obvious when you look at the name but they do export well.
In this guide, we will ask; where are Fuji apples grown? We will also look at the appeal of a Fuji apple and how to use Fuji apples.
Where Are Fuji Apples Grown?
Japan has given a lot to the culinary world including sashimi, sushi, and tempura. Add Fuji apples to that list as the apple variety comes from Fujisaki and first entered the market in the Sixties.
The apple is a cross-pollination of a Ralls Janet and a Red Delicious apple having been developed at Tohoku Research Station since the Thirties. The Fuji apple has a botanical classification of Malus domestica.
It ripens late and belongs to the Rosaceae family, remaining one of the most commercially cultivated apples in the world.
That combination of sweetness and crispness has seen it become highly popular in its native Japan, as well as in China, Europe, and the United States. You can still find several different varieties of the Fuji apple being grown that require different levels of sunlight.
This includes Sun-Fuji and Moon-Fuji apples. Sun-Fuji apples receive direct sunlight to up the sugar content to the maximum. However, Moon-Fuji apples are bagged to protect them from the sun until they are just ready to be picked.
The Appeal Of A Fuji Apple
A lot of the appeal of a Fuji apple comes from how sweet it is. This has been scientifically proven using the Brix measurement which focuses on the apple’s sugar content. One degree of Brix is equivalent to a single gram of sucrose in each 100g of solution.
It is the method used across the fruit juice and wine industry to define how sweet a foodstuff or liquid is. For instance, a blueberry has a Brix measurement of 10.0, a lemon comes in at 4.5 while a carrot has an 8.0 measurement.
In comparison, a Fuji apple has a measurement of between 15 and 18 Brix. That’s right, each Fuji apple will have juice that can be around 18% sugar which is exceedingly sweet.
There is a complex flavor to a Fuji apple too as it can be a little tart which helps to offset all that sugar. The flesh of a Fuji apple should be crisp and there should be a firmness to the apple itself. That should feel good in your hand and give a good crunch with every bite.
Such firmness also makes a Fuji apple ideal for packing into your bag and eating as a snack. While the apple transports well, it also has a rewarding taste that should excite your taste buds.
If there is a comparison to make for the taste of a Fuji apple it is like a Red Delicious or Ralls Janet apple. You would expect this due to how the apple is derived from both of those apples.
What you get is the sweetness and color of a Red Delicious aligned with the crunchiness and tartness of a Ralls Janet. However, there is a decidedly more complex flavor profile with a Fuji apple as you should expect notes of pear, citrus, and honey in every mouthful.
How To Use Fuji Apples?
Fuji apples also tend to be incredibly versatile which is another factor in their popularity. You can enjoy biting into a fresh one as a snack when you are on the move.
However, when a Fuji apple is cut into slices it can be involved in cooking and baking recipes with good reason too. The slices tend to hold their shape so you can expect a glorious looking apple pie or maybe some baked apples.
If you want to make some homemade cider or apple juice then Fuji apples are well worth trying. That’s largely due to their high sugar content which makes for a wonderfully sweet juice.
If apple juice or cider are not your thing then you can put a Fuji apple in the blender with some other ingredients. Combine the juice with the tartness of cranberries or cherries for a balanced smoothie with a lot of contrast.
Final Thoughts
While Fuji apples are great in a snack, its popularity means it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. As well as being baked in a pie, you can pair Fuji apples with pork chops, sausages, and bacon.
It even goes well with cheeses like cheddar and brie as the refreshing sweetness offsets the creaminess of the dairy product. Look after them properly as they can keep for between three and six months when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Fuji Apples Prove To Be So Expensive?
The comparatively high price point of a Fuji apple is down to a few factors. Mainly, they are harder to cultivate than various other varieties of apples as they tend to require a temperamental climate.
Due to that cultivation, it costs more to produce Fuji apples than it does other varieties that require a more stable climate to thrive.
What Is Known As The Rarest Apple In The World?
While a Fuji apple is commonly found around the world, there is an apple from China that is exceedingly rare. The Black Diamond Apple comes from the Huaniu family of apples.
It is cultivated in the remote mountain area of Nyingchi which is in the Tibetan region of China. As its name would suggest, the apple is incredibly sought-after and has white pulp on the inside with a purple hue.
Hello, my name is Valentina and I am the founder or ‘grower’ as I like to call myself of BonitaFruitTrees.com.
Cultivating my own fruit trees is definitely my passion, and has been for such a long time.
That’s what made me want to make this website. I wanted to create a place where I could share my experiences with others, teach more people how to grow fruit trees, and just help them have a little fun with it.
