Fuji (apple)

Lore & Background

It is a cross between two American apple varieties: Red Delicious and Ralls Janet (sometimes called 'Rawls Jennet'). Its flavor is sweet and its texture is crisp, and it can be used to make apple sauce. Fuji apples are typically round and range from large to very large, averaging 75 millimeters in diameter. They contain 9–11% sugars by weight and have a dense flesh that is sweeter and crisper than many other apple cultivars. They have a very long shelf life compared to other apples, even without refrigeration; with refrigeration, they can remain fresh for up to a year. The Fuji thrives in areas with relatively warm summers and is a late-season variety, ripening after the McIntosh, Gala, and Honeycrisp, but at the same time as the Empire, Red Delicious, and EverCrisp. In Japan, Fuji apples continue to be an unrivaled best-seller, and Japan's apple imports remain low. Outside Japan, the popularity of Fuji apples continues to grow. The Fuji has been a market success in North America since its debut there in the late twentieth century. It is also one of the top varieties in Canada, alongside the Ambrosia, Gala, and Honeycrisp. Most American Fuji apples are grown in Washington State, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Oregon.

Reader's Guide

Its legacy includes a very long shelf life, even without refrigeration, and a sweet, crisp flesh that has made it popular worldwide. The Fuji has also spawned numerous mutant cultivars (sports) and descendant cultivars such as Autumn Glory, EverCrisp, and Hokuto. The apple's continued popularity and adaptability underscore its importance in global apple production and consumption.

Did You Know?

• It is a cross between two American apple varieties: Red Delicious and Ralls Janet.
• Fuji apples can remain fresh for up to a year with refrigeration.