Did you know that the apple is the most favoured fruit in France and households in the nation France consume 17 kg of apples every year? The French people love the Golden apple variety the utmost.
And what is amazing is that Interfel (Interbranch Association for Fresh French Fruit and Vegetables) has taken immense efforts and has made a mark in the Indian market. You may be wondering how? Interfel will take you on a gastronomic adventure as it has got the richest, varied varieties of French Apples to India.
It is interesting to note that for more than 20 years there have been more than 1300 French apple growers who have focused on cultivating quality French apples. Among French apple growers, Interfel has always promoted sustainability and ecofriendly practices. Their commitment is just not restricted to cultivation, but also includes preserving orchard biodiversity and maintaining the equilibrium of developing friendly methods towards the sustainability of fruit farms. Practices like waste management, pollination and biocontrol methods are incorporated.
If you believe in the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, then you can indulge in the richness of French apples like Royal Gala, Granny Smith, Pink Lady®, Pixie, Candine®, Jazz™, Envy™, Zingy® and Kissabel®. For the unversed, did you know for a fact that more than 100 varieties of apples worldwide flourish in French orchards, which is just mind-blowing. Orchards in France have been blessed with good weather during all seasons and hence giving birth to irresistible crunchy, juicy apples.
Now, let us now look at the types of French apples you can find in India
1. The Royal Gala
This apple comes with striated skin that combines red and yellow. The flesh is sweet and yellow, with a juicy and crispy texture that has a touch of sourness and features fruity aromas reminiscent of bananas and pears.
2. The Granny Smith
The Granny Smith is a bright green apple and has a well-rounded shape. The skin is shiny, crispy and firm and the fruit has a distinct citrus taste with a tart and refreshing flesh. The juicy flesh also has an herbal scent and does not brown easily, which makes it quite idea for salads or even as a snack.
3. The Pixie
The green-yellow skin of the Pixie also comes with orange or red stripes and some russeting. This fruit is juicy, crisp and aromatic, and its sweet and tart flavour develops over time.
4. Kissabel®
The Kissabel is a delightfully pink-yellow apple. The flesh too is pink and the fruit has a juicy, crisp and aromatic flavour. This variety balance the sweet and tartness of apples really well and has hits of berry too.
All about the production of apples in France
In the planting stage, different varieties of apples are grafted onto rootstocks that suit the local climate. Organic and mineral manure is added for the growth of the fruit and apple trees need to be exposed to a cold period to stimulate the process of fruiting. Other steps in the planting stage involves fruiting. The other step in the process also involves integrated pest management, watching the growth of the apples closely in springtime which is crucial; at harvest, numerous tests are carried out to ensure the harvest is at optimal maturity and good fruit quality.
The ecofriendly orchards approach style
Since more than 20 years, apple growers are committed to share ethics like produce quality fruits, respect biodiversity, follow environment friendly approaches. Now, The Association Nationale Pommes Poires (ANPP) is a French association of apple and pear producers that follows ecofriendly orchard values. This label has also been recognised by the ministry of agriculture.
The right apple
Apples do come with health benefits. They support a healthy immune system, are a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants, has fibre and is good for gut health. But how do you pick the one that’s ready? When buying from a market, Here’s the rule of thumb: make sure that the apple is firm and without defects.
Established back in 1976 and as a private law organisation, Interfel is the face of the fruit, vegetable sector. Now, they have 75,000 companies, 250,000 experienced seasonal workers and trades in varied sectors. From production, shipping, import, export, trade, distribution, and catering; it is known to cater to the needs of customers. Their main mission incorporates understanding market as well as the final consumer needs. You will be amazed to know that Interfel has been addressed, recognised as a national agricultural inter-professional association by French rural law and the European Union since 1996. Their main aim is to encourage and advocate masses about the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables which is the need of the hour.
Ways to prolong an apple’s shelf life
- No one wants fruit to get spoiled easily. Here are a few ways you can ensure that your favourite apple lasts longer:
- Store them in a cool, dark and dry place (refrigerator or cellar)
- Keep your apples away from other fruits and vegetables as they can cause premature ripening of other fruits
Finally, with all this talk of French, how could we forget the delicious desserts in which the apple can be used. Plus, there are some amazing French desserts you can make using these apples. The Tarte Tatin, the Chausson aux pomme or the apple turnover, the Pomme Au Four or the baked apple, and of course one of the most popular ones, Beignets Aux Pomme or apple fritters are some of the desserts you must try.
Tarte Tatin
You need
- 1 sweet shortcrust pastry
- 6 medium Golden Delicious apples
- 1/3 cup (75g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, halved and scraped
- 1 tsp fleur de sel (or sea salt flakes)
Method
- Peel, core and cut the apples in quarters.
- In a 9-10” (22.9cm-25.4cm) cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, with the sugar and vanilla bean scrapings. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved and the liquid starts to simmer.
- Add the apple quarters, stir to coat and turn the heat down to low.
- Cover with a large sheet of foil and cook for 20 minutes until the apples are tender (but not mushy), stirring occasionally and pouring the liquid in the pan on top of the apples.
- Transfer the apple quarters to a cooling rack and sprinkle evenly with the fleur de sel. Bring the heat to high and simmer the remaining liquid until it turns into a golden caramel.
- Remove from the heat.
- Turn your oven to 430F(220C).
- Place the apple quarters back into the skillet (over top the caramel) in a circular pattern, with the “outside of the fruit” side down.
- Cover with the crust and tuck the edges of the crust into the pan. Poke four tiny holes into the crust with a knife.
- Bake for 10 minutes in the pre-heated oven. Turn the oven down to 375F(190C) and bake for 20 more minutes, until the crust is golden.
- Transfer the tart to a cooling rack for 5 minutes, and flip upside down onto a serving plate (do not wait any longer before you flip it, or the caramel will harden).
- Serve warm (commonly with dollop of crème fraiche on top), or chilled.
French Beignets aux pommes (apple fritters)
You need
- Frying oil
- Salt
- 1 sachet baking powder (11g)
- 250 g flour (2 cups)
- 2 eggs
- 20 cl milk (4/5 cup)
- 4 Royal Gala apples
Method
- Pour the flour and baking powder into a bowl and make a well. Add the two egg yolks and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
- Gradually add the milk. When the dough is smooth, add the two egg whites previously beaten until stiff.
- Peel and core the apples. Then cut them into regular slices.
- Dip the apple slices in the batter and fry until golden.
- Serve the fritters with sugar!