Fuji (apple) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Malus pumila, Fuji |
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Fuji on a tree
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| Genus | Malus |
| Species | M. pumila |
| Hybrid parentage | Red Delicious × Ralls Janet |
| Cultivar | Fuji |
| Origin | Fujisaki, Aomori (1930s) |
The Fuji apple is a popular type of apple that was created in Japan. It was developed by apple growers at the Tohoku Research Station in Fujisaki, Aomori, during the late 1930s. This sweet apple was first sold to people in 1962.
The Fuji apple is a mix of two American apple types: the Red Delicious and the old Virginia Ralls Janet apples. The name "Fuji" comes from the town where it was first grown, Fujisaki. The USApple Association says it is one of the most popular apples in the United States.
About Fuji Apples
Fuji apples are usually round and can be large or very large. They are about 75 millimeters (3 inches) wide. These apples are known for being very sweet and crunchy. They have about 9–11% natural sugar by weight. This makes them a favorite for many people around the world.
Fuji apples also stay fresh for a long time. They last longer than many other apples, even without being kept in a fridge. If you put them in a refrigerator, Fuji apples can stay fresh for up to a year!
Where Fuji Apples Grow
In Japan, Fuji apples are still the most popular type of apple. Japanese people really like their crunchy texture and sweetness. This taste reminds them a bit of the Nashi pear. Because of this, Japan does not import many other types of apples.
Aomori Prefecture is the most famous apple-growing area in Japan. It is also where the Fuji apple was created. Each year, Japan produces about 900,000 tons of apples. About 500,000 tons of these apples come from Aomori.
Fuji apples are also very popular outside of Japan. In 2016 and 2017, Fuji apples made up almost 70% of the 43 million tons of apples grown in China. Fuji apples first came to the US market in the 1980s. Since then, they have become very popular with American shoppers.
By 2016, Fuji apples were the third most popular apple in the US. Only Red Delicious and Gala apples were more popular. Fuji apples are grown in many states known for apples. These include Washington, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and California. Washington State grows more than half of all American apples. It produces about 135,000 tons of Fuji apples each year.
The USApple Association recently predicted that Fuji apples would become America's fourth favorite apple. In the United States and Canada, Fuji apples have a special Price look-up code (PLU code) of 4131. This code helps stores identify them.
Different Kinds of Fuji Apples
Sometimes, a plant can have a natural change, like a small mutation. When this happens in an apple tree, it can create a slightly different version of the apple. These new versions are called "mutant cultivars" or "sports." Many different kinds of Fuji apples have been found and grown this way.
These new Fuji types might have a slightly different color, ripen at a different time, or have a different shape. For example, some might be a darker red, or ripen a few days earlier. These natural changes help create even more variety in the apples we enjoy.
See also
In Spanish: Manzana Fuji para niños
