A Brief History of the Apple
Apples have been eaten since the end of prehistory. First consumed in western China and Turkey, they can now be found in Europe, including Italy and Switzerland.
The Romans helped spread the fruit throughout a significant portion of Europe, introducing nearly 30 varieties. These varieties evolved over the centuries, with growers selecting them for their hardiness, flavor, and yield.
Even today, apples are grown and consumed throughout France and around the world. As the French people’s favorite fruit, it pairs perfectly with many recipes and comes in various forms (juice, cider, vinegar, compote, etc.).
Apple Production in France: Key Figures
Apples are the most widely consumed fruit in France, ahead of bananas and oranges. Approximately 1.7 million metric tons of apples are harvested, with an average consumption of 20 kg per year per household.
There are more than 400 varieties of apples in France; apples are truly the best-selling item at both farmers’ markets and supermarkets.
There are nearly 41,000 hectares of apple orchards throughout France.
In 2022, apple production totaled 1.5 million metric tons, a 13% increase compared to 2021 (source: Chambers of Agriculture).
China is the world’s leading apple producer; France ranks 10th (Source: FranceAgriMer.)
The Juliet® apple, a 100% organic and 100% French apple
The Juliet® apple is a variety grown 100% organically and produced exclusively in France. Cultivated on nearly 570 hectares, it is grown without GMOs or synthetic chemicals.
The growers of the beautiful Juliet® apple are members of the association “Les Amis de Juliet®.” There are now 190 of them working toward the same goals: promoting Juliet®, expanding its orchards, and coordinating technical support.
In addition to being based in France, all Juliet® apple growers are certified organic. To obtain this certification, an audit is conducted to verify compliance with the following rules:
- Ban on the Use of GMOs
- Apples cannot be grown using pesticides, synthetic herbicides, or chemical fertilizers.
- Apple production must respect the natural balance of the environment as well as animal welfare