Products Farm to Fork Blog Recipes About UsContact Us Apples Fruit FAQs Your Frequently Asked Questions How do I store Stemilt apples for optimum quality? Why is there wax on conventional apples? How do I remove the wax on conventional apples? Why can I buy apples that are harvested in the fall most months of the year? Why does the surface of my apple have white flecks on it? I spotted a white residue on the stem bowl of my apples. What is that? Are your apples dyed? Can I buy apple trees from you? I want to plant my apple seeds. Will it result in a tree and edible fruits? How do I store Stemilt apples for optimum quality? First, shop for firm and shiny apples. Once you get them home, place unwashed apples away in your fridge until you are ready to eat them. Ensure apples are stored away from other fragrant fresh produce (like onions) as their odors can alter the taste of the fruit. Wash the fruit prior to eating and enjoy! Back To Top Why is there wax on conventional apples? Freshly harvested apples have a natural wax coating that protects them from shriveling and moisture loss, however it is unfortunately removed when it is washed and scrubbed prior to being packed. On conventional apples, Stemilt replaces the natural wax with a thin layer of food-grade wax (which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) that is carnauba or shellac based. These waxes are natural, non-petroleum based coatings with no known allergens as ingredients, including: milk, soy, casein or gluten. Back To Top How do I remove the wax on conventional apples? Don’t worry, the wax is safe to consume! But if you insist on removing the wax completely, you would need to peel the apple. This, however, is something we would not suggest doing since the fruit’s most valued nutrients are in the skin. You can use fruit and vegetable wash on the apple and gently scrub with a brush to remove some wax. If wax is still a problem, you can always purchase our Artisan Organics™ apples, which do not have an applied wax. Back To Top Why can I buy apples that are harvested in the fall most months of the year? Thanks to controlled atmosphere (CA) storage technology, we can enjoy some varieties into the spring and summer that were harvested in the fall. Apples with high starch-to-sugar ratios and other high-quality indicators are put into CA rooms at harvest where temperature and humidity is constantly monitored and will remain there until ready to pack. These cold rooms essentially put the apple to sleep, which prevents the fruit from converting starches to sugars. Once out of the cold, the conversion process starts again and the result is crisp, juicy and flavorful apples that are available to you nearly year-round (depending on variety). Isn’t technology cool?! Back To Top Why does the surface of my apple have white flecks on it? Sometimes when the fruit is exposed to excessive heat and/or moisture, the apple’s wax may develop some white flecks. This whitening is like what happens to a candy bar when you place it in the freezer. Back To Top I spotted a white residue on the stem bowl of apple. What is it? This is Kaolin clay, a natural material that we apply to protect apples (and pears too) from getting sunburned. Yup, even fruit can get sunburned! The clay reflects the sun preventing the burn. It’s usually washed off the fruit during packing but some residue can be left behind in the stem/bottom ends of the fruit, where the brushes don’t reach. Back To Top Are your apples dyed? Nope! We do not dye any of our fruits. Occasionally, the apple skin will bleed into the flesh (appearing pink or red). This is most common with deep red varieties like SweeTango®, Red Delicious, or Rome. Back To Top Can I buy apple trees from you? No, Stemilt does not sell apple trees of any kind. We recommend that you contact your local nursery to see which varieties work best in your growing region. Back To Top I want to plant my apple seeds. Will it result in a tree and edible fruits? It’s not likely. It may produce a tree, but it probably won’t produce edible fruit. Fruit trees are grown by grafting a specific variety onto an established rootstock, so planting from a seed won’t get you the variety you are after. The best way to grow your own apples would be to purchase a tree from a local nursery. Back To Top What's in a name? Sustainability & Social Responsibility Stemilt History Frequently Asked Questions Get Fresh Updates from The Stem Blog Don't worry. We promise to only send you the yummy stuff. More Stemilt In Season Now Stemilt Retail Store Sincerely Fresh Gift Fruit Stemilt Creek Winery Store Locator Work With Us Careers For Growers For Our Trade Partners Employees © 2019 Stemilt Growers LLC. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions