WHY COAT APPLE FRUITS..

Above: Google pic

We're told that an apple a day keeps the doctor away and am sure the saying does not come without any basis.  Apple is one of my favourite fruits. I've always been fascinated by the various types and also colours of these beautiful fruit.  I love the crunchy and sweet taste especially when they are fresh. I also love that this fruit is versatile and I would normally use it in the preparation of fruit jam, fruit salad or juice.

Reading about the numerous health benefits of apples, it might be good to be aware of how there are stored,  packed and delivered from the farm. It is common knowledge that apples are coated with wax.   There are several reasons for coating apples. The main reasons are either for preservation, aesthetic (appearance) or the obvious one of replacing the natural wax.

Yours Truly and friends going wild over wild apples, New Zealand :)

 Pic above: Apple tree from a country up north courtesy of a friend.

 Apple farm, NSW, Australia

Apple Farm in Bilpin, NSW, Australia

The farmer assured me that eating the apples direct from the tree was safe ... no pesticides..  :)

The apples, naturally have a natural wax coating on their surface. This natural wax coating helps to protect the apple fruit from shriveling and weight loss. However, prior to packaging of the apple fruits, they are washed by scrubbing the surface to remove dirt and chemical residues (if they are not organic). This scrubbing removes approximately 50% of the natural wax coating.

To replace the natural wax coating, processors apply other recommended waxes on the surface of apples. The waxes applied on apples can either be animal wax, vegetable wax or mineral and synthetic wax. After applying wax, the fruits assumes glossy and firm appearance which is considered as an important quality in apples.

The distributors and sellers of apples can apply wax to improve appearance and increase visual freshness. This is very common practice especially in supermarkets.

The most common wax used on apples is a vegetable wax called canauba wax or shellac.


Ways of Cleaning Waxed Apples

Obviously, it is a good practice to clean apples before eating.   I would normally clean with lukewarm water. Just clean them thoroughly to remove any surface wax. This would also help remove any dirt and chemical residues on the surface.

It is not advisable to use detergents even food grade types on porous fruits like apples. Vinegar (acetic acid) can also do. Use a paper towel with a bit of vinegar to wipe the fruit before washing. Using vinegar wipes away the wax.

The other obvious way to ensure you do not consume the wax on the surface of apples is to remove the entire peel . This can be done by using either a fruit peeler or a knife. This comes at a cost since many people like the tartness and crispiness of the peel and also it will remove most of the goodness of the apple.