What's in season? Idaho apples.

Welcome the fall season by enjoying a deliciously sweet Idaho apple fresh from the orchard! Apples are Idaho’s number one fruit crop topping 60 million pounds harvested per year. Idaho apples are available August through early March, allowing many months to enjoy this delectable harvest treat.

Idaho apple farmers grow at least nine different varieties of apples, including Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala, Jonagold, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and Rome. They are also growing newer varieties including Pink Lady and Honey Crisp. Each apple is carefully cultivated and harvested so that it is delivered to you fresh, crisp and juicy- just the way an apple should be! You can find local apples in many local retailers and farmers markets as well as U-pick orchards.

Like all fruits and vegetables, apples are an important part of a healthy diet. Apples have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, and contain a multitude of important nutrients such as potassium, dietary fiber, and naturally occurring antioxidants. With all of the healthful benefits of apples, celebrate the harvest season with your favorite Idaho apple-fresh from the tree!

Apple Basics

What to Look For: Choose fresh, bright, firm textured apples and avoid apples with dark, pressure marks over the surface.

How to Store: Fresh apples can be kept at room temperature for few days and stored inside the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. Wash them in clean running cold water before use.

Fun Facts

It takes a medium-sized apple tree 6-10 years before it fully produces fruit. Once fully grown, an apple tree will produce enough apples to make 225 pies each year!

Also in season this month for Idaho growers are beans, beets, berries, carrots, corn, cucumber and herbs. For more on what’s in season see Idahopreferred.com, a project of the Idaho Department of Agriculture.