Overwhelmed by apples on my two trees
If you’ve got a bumper crop, you need to know how to go about storing home-grown apples for winter.
My old tree finally recovered from restorative pruning, which took four years (note: never remove more than a quarter of the canopy in one go).
Maybe they’re relished the cold winter followed by a hot summer, and now we are getting steady rainfall to swell and ripen the fruit. Anyhow, I’m inclined not to question why too much and just be thankful for them!
If you’re in any doubt about what to do with lots of apples, see my apple glut page.
Storing home-grown apples – Waste not, want not
There’s also a recipe for lazy cooks’ apple puree, ideal for the freezer, and you don’t have to peel and core them. Apples from the old tree (probably some sort of Cox) are tart enough to make your teeth ache, but I quite like that sort of thing. Red Falstaff is a much more user-friendly eater. Here’s what to expect:
- Parents: Golden Delicious and James Grieve.
- Skin colour: Attractive, mostly red skin with an orange/green background.
- Taste and texture: Crisp, creamy white flesh has a good balance of sweetness and acidity, crunchy with lots of juice.
- Storage: Two months.
- Ready to pick: Late September to early October.
How to store apples and pears
- Try a garage, shed or cellar, as long as it is cool (2.8°C-7°C) for apples and cooler for pears, which can be stored in the salad compartment of the fridge.
- The storage place needs to be frost-free, well-ventilated, dark, slightly humid and free from mice.
- Suitable containers are crates, slatted shelves, polystyrene trays or shallow wooden boxes. Good air movement is crucial.
- Choose blemish-free, medium-sized fruits with the stalk intact. Under-ripe fruit stores best.
- Lay fruits in a single layer, not touching each other. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.
- Keep different varieties separate.
- Keep fruit away from strong scents, such as paint, fertilisers and onions.
Here’s a great guide to heritage apples.
