Apples are part of the Malus Domestica family.  Do you know how many varieties of apples and pears there are? Over 7500 varieties of apples in the WORLD. No, we do not grow them all in South Africa of course.

Why do you get so many types of apples? Fruit breeding is the ability to fulfil the expectations of the farmers, and consumers’ needs. Farmers may want them to be disease resistant and store well, consumers are specific in what they want. Apple cultivars differ to suit how well they grow in certain climates, their colour, taste profile and size.

Due to the climatic requirements for apple production, apples have generally only been grown in areas with cold winters with sufficient cold unit conditions for ideal development, particularly good colour development in South Africa.

The traditional varieties of apples produced in South Africa for local consumption are Golden Delicious, Royal Gala, Braeburn and Granny Smith.

“The major varieties produced in South Africa mostly for export are therefore Golden Delicious (24%), Royal Gala/Gala (17%), Granny Smith (15%), Cripp’s Pink and Pink Lady® (11%), Topred/Starking (11%), Fuji (9%), Cripp’s Red, Joya® (5%) and Braeburn (3%). ” – SouthAfrica.co.za

Let’s compare apples with apples.

Not all apples are the same – some are better for baking, some are better for salads, some have greenish skin, others have striped skin, some have white flesh, and others have yellowish flesh. The same goes for pears.

We are very lucky in South Africa as Tru-Cape grows and supplies Food Lover’s Market, and you, with the juiciest and most delectable apples out there.

Let’s have a quick look at our most popular apple and pear options available at Food Lover’s Market stores. You may recognise some of the apples and pears – classic lunch treats, but perhaps there are some things you didn’t know about them!

For more varieties, check out Tru-Cape’s site.

Delicious to eat, not suited to baking.

Skin: Deep red.
Flesh: White.
Texture: Gentle crunch.
Taste: Super sweet.

A delicious snack and salad apple.

Skin: Whitish yellow with red streaks.
Flesh: White.
Texture: Crispy, crunchy and juicy.
Taste: Very sweet and fragrant.

Recommended recipe: A scrumptious autumn dish: rumps steaks with a wonderful apple and onion salsa. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.

Excellent as a snack and in salads. Keeps shape when cooked.

Skin: Greenish gold with reddish-orange streaks.
Flesh: Pale.
Texture: Crisp.
Taste: Sweet and slightly tangy.

Great snacking and eating apple.

Skin: Red.
Flesh: Yellowish.
Texture: Firm, crisp, juicy.
Taste: Deliciously crunchy and sweet.

A delicious snack and salad apple.

Skin: A bright red, shiny apple.
Flesh: Creamy white.
Texture: Crunchy.
Taste: Sweet and sour.

Snacking, salad and baking apple.

Skin: Pretty pink.
Flesh: Whitish.
Texture: Crisp and fizzy.
Taste: Tangy and sweet.

Great for eating and baking, and excellent for sauces and purees.

Skin: Bright green.
Flesh: Greenish white.
Texture: Firm, crunchy.
Taste: Tartly sweet.

Great for eating and baking.

Skin: Golden-yellow.
Flesh: Green-white.
Texture: Juicy.
Taste: Sweet and flavoursome.

Great for eating and baking, and excellent for sauces and purees.

Skin: Bright green.
Flesh: Greenish white.
Texture: Firm, crunchy.
Taste: Tartly sweet.

Delicious bell-shaped pear. Great for snacking and cooking.

Skin: Golden yellow with red blush and conspicuous lenticels (tiny spots).
Flesh: Creamy-white.
Texture: Slightly coarse.
Taste: Sweet and juicy.

Large, unevenly shaped, popular pear with a long storage life. This is a multi-purpose pear that can be used in a variety of ways from snacks to salads and baking.

Skin: Green (even when fully ripe) with conspicuous dark-green lenticels.
Flesh: Creamy-white.
Texture: Fine and smooth.
Taste: Sweet and juicy.

Ever wondered how our apples get from the farm to a Food Lover’s? From point A to point B, read this to learn how it’s done by Tru-Cape Fruit.