Apple
NATTI APPLE PRODUCTION IN FRANCE
Cultivated since the Neolithic period, the apple is today the most consumed fruit by the French.
As regards specifically the NATTI apple, it was born in 2017 by the result of the collaboration of 12 producers in Alsace willing to offer an apple with a taste and texture in line with the expectations of Alsatian consumers. Born from a cross between the Topaz and the Cripps Pink, it has a flamboyant red cover, an exquisite crunch and refreshingly sweet and tart flavors. It has the advantage of being less susceptible to disease, of being uniform in shape and size and is grown in compliance with the specifications of the « Vergers Ecoresponsables » (french label for ecological orchards).
This variety makes it possible to stand out from the large French but also European apple production areas. The marketing period starts as soon as the harvest, indicatively from mid-October and can be extended until May.
Its low susceptibility to scab, resilience and its particular sweet and sour taste, allow the country to reach an annual production of 1000 tons. French apple production is estimated to be 9% higher than in 2022, and 8% higher than the average harvest from 2018 to 2022.
APPLE PROPERTIES
Apples are considered nutrient-dense fruits, meaning they provide a lot of nutrients per serving. Apples are rich in fiber, vitamin C and minerals, all of which benefit human health. They also provide an array of antioxidants, which neutrlize free radicals. Free radicals are reactive molecules that can build up as a result of natural processes and environmental pressures. If too many free radicals accumulate in the body, they can cause oxidative stress.
This fruit can be considered as a drug supplied to us by nature, a remedy for many health problems, from stress the almost total absence of fat and caloric intake. Below other benefits that the fruit makes to our health, if eaten raw is a good astringent, contains fructose which is absorbed by the human body without the need of insulin, thus is well tolerated by those who suffer from diabetes.
The fruit contains the pectin, that keep blood sugar under control. Lowers the bad cholesterol and increases the production of the good in a relatively short time. It seems that its benefits to the respiratory system are even higher than those of citrus fruits. The fruit also prevents heart disease, including heart attack, the reason lies in the richness of flavonoids, as noted above have excellent antioxidant properties.
APPLE HARVEST CYCLE
Each variety of apple has its own maturation time and can be dependent upon weather conditions during the growing season. However the month of September is generally the best time of year to pick apples. While different varieties of apples ripen at different times, and the climate varies the harvest from year to year, early fall is almost always a reliable time for harvesting apples.
Early varieties like Gala apples and McIntosh are ready from late August to mid-September in most temperate apple-growing climates. Mid-season varieties like Granny Smith and Fuji are ready in late September to early October. Late varieties like Cripps Pink and Fuji ripen in late October-November (perfect for late apple-picking trips).