When are Juliet® apples harvested?
The Juliet® apple likes to take its time to ripen, and that's what makes it so special. It is harvested between the beginning of October and mid-November, just when it reveals all its flavours, marking the full extent of the apple season in France. Grown in France and organically, it has a distinctive sweet taste and crunchy flesh. Whether eaten on their own or added to a recipe, apples are always appreciated.
Organic apple season
Apple season is always a key moment, both for producers and for lovers of good fruit! But not all apples are ready at the same time. Some can be harvested as early as summer, while others take a little longer to ripen.
In the south, where temperatures remain mild, the harvest starts earlier, often in August. But the further north you go, the more patient you need to be: apples take longer to ripen with cooler nights.
Harvesting organic apples
Apples keep for a very long time, but the picking season is limited.As soon as the apples fall to the ground, harvesting can begin.
All apples have a different picking season.The earliest apples are picked in August, while the latest are picked until the end of October. In August, for example, there are Vista Bella, Melba and Delbarestivale apples. In September, the famous Royal Gala or Reine des Reinettes.And finally, in October, Granny Smith, Fuji or Melrose.
The latest apples have the longest shelf life.
Picking the Juliet® apple
Juliet® apples keep well for a long time, thanks to their late harvesting and thick skin. In fact, they can be kept for several weeks, even months, either in a cool cellar or in your vegetable crisper. A real advantage if you want to make the most of the apple season.
After that, you can eat them in a variety of ways, raw or cooked, they're sure to tantalise your taste buds.
To vary the pleasures we offer you a number of recipes with our Juliet® apples, ideal for enjoying the apple season: a tarte tatin, black pudding egg rolls or crêpes. Discover them now > find out more.
Why is the apple season important for organic farming?
In organic farming, we let nature do its work.
There are no shortcuts here: the fruit grows with the seasons, without pesticides or chemical treatments. By respecting this natural cycle, the apples develop their full flavour and retain all their qualities.
At Juliet®, we take the time to do things right.The apples are picked entirely by hand, with respect for the fruit and the tree.Every day, the producers go through the orchards, checking the condition of the apples and testing their firmness before peeling them off one by one.There's no question of going too fast: it's this care that ensures deliciously sweet apples full of goodness.
Harvesting Juliet® apples: everything you need to know
Apples are a very popular fruit in France. Appreciated for their sweet, indulgent flavour, the French eat them every day. Far ahead of oranges and bananas, they consume 20 kg a year.
Apples are harvested entirely by hand, during the apple season, to respect the fragility of the fruit and ensure that it is picked when ripe. This means harvesting is spread over several weeks between early October and mid-November.
For apples to be tasty and juicy, they need to be picked at the right time. What about our Juliet® apple?
When should apples be picked?
Juliet® apples are harvested when they are ripe, guaranteeing their flavour, crisp texture and long-term keeping qualities.This marks a key stage in the apple season.To recognise it, simply observe whether any have fallen off naturally or whether they can be detached by twisting them ¼ turn. If they come off effortlessly, this means that the Juliet® apples are ripe and ready to be picked.
How to store Juliet® apples after harvesting
Juliet® apples have the advantage of being late-ripening apples, which means they naturally keep longer than early-ripening varieties.To enjoy their crunchiness and flavour for longer, there are a few precautions to take.
At room temperature: they can keep for several weeks in a cool, dry place away from light.
In the fridge: stored in the vegetable crisper, they will stay fresh for several months.
In the cellar or in crates: ideal for prolonged storage, if you space them well apart and avoid them touching.
Thanks to these precautions, you'll be able to enjoy your Juliet® apples long after they've been harvested, preserving all their freshness and unique flavour.
How to tell if an apple is ripe
There are several ways to tell if an apple is ripe. First of all, its colour will help you: when ripe, apples have a bright, colourful hue.
Also, as mentioned above, if it comes off easily, the apple is ready to be picked.
Another indicator is the natural fall of a few apples to the ground, a sign that the tree is ready for harvesting.Finally, for those who want to be sure of the ripeness of their apple, simply taste it and make up your own mind!
If it's crisp, juicy and sweet, that means the remaining apples are ready to be picked.
The advantages of a late apple like Juliet
There's a reason why Juliet® apples are so popular! What makes it special? It keeps naturally for much longer than other varieties. There's no need for chemical treatments or artificial preservatives: its thick skin and late harvest mean it stays crunchy and tasty for weeks.
It's a real treat for those who like to enjoy apples all year round, even in the middle of winter. Whether you're biting into it, adding it to a compote or making a lovely tart, Juliet® retains all its texture and flavour.
Another advantage: because it's grown organically, without any pesticides or chemicals, it appeals to those who want to eat healthily and favour environmentally-friendly farming.
And that's not all!
The Juliet® apple season arrives just at the right time, just when other varieties are starting to become rarer. It's the perfect apple for prolonging the pleasure of the harvest and enhancing desserts for the festive season.
