Apples - Granny Smith

Availability

Granny Smith apples are harvested in late April and early May and are available until December.

Storage and Handling

Store in the refrigerator. Handle all fresh produce with care and wash before eating.

History

Granny Smith were discovered in Australia by chance as a seedling on the compost pile of Maria Smith's orchard. They were first introduced to Britain in the 1930's and later to Amercia in the 1970's.

Growing Facts

• Most apples sold commercially are grown from trees that consist of two parts grafted together
• A farmer takes a cutting from a healthy tree of a particular apple variety and grafts it on to the roots of other apple trees (rootstock), which are good at growing
• Farmers do this to reduce the amount of damage from temperature extremes, pests and disease
• The fruit that is grown will be the same variety as the cutting, not the rootstock
• In New Zealand, Nelson, Hawkes Bay and Otago are the main growing regions, although apples are grown in many other parts of New Zealand

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 apple - 130g

Source: The Concise New Zealand Food Composition Tables, 10th Edition, Plant & Food Research – 2014