Missouri Apple Facts
General Apple Facts | Missouri Apple Facts

General Apple Facts

  • Sometimes called "nature's toothbrush," apples help clean the teeth and massage the gums.

  • Good apples are bright, crisp, juicy, and full bodied . . . not dull, pale, musty, or wrinkled.

  • A really good apple squirts juice when you take the first bite.

  • Apple cider and apple juice are healthy, non-alcoholic drinks.

  • The story of Johnny Appleseed is a true legend.

  • The total U.S. production of apples averages about 200,000,000 bushels, which is about 100 apples per person. About 40% of the apple crop is used for processing.

  • Processing apples are made into applesauce, cider or juice, canned or frozen apple slices, apple butter, apple jelly, cider vinegar, and other products.

  • Golden Delicious and Jonathan combined make a very tasty cider

  • About 46% of the apples grown are Jonathan , 32% Red Delicious, 10% are Golden Delicious, 5% are Gala apples, and the other 7% are other cultivars such as Rome, Empire, Fuji, Winesap, and Paula Red.

  • Other popular varieties include:
    • Empire
    • Liberty
    • Mutsu
    • Paula Red
    • Red Rome
    • Stayman Winesap
    Missouri Apple Facts
  • Missouri orchards have many varieties, so visit or call, and ask about their varieties and when those apples will be ready.

  • The warm days and cool nights of August and September, usually experienced in Missouri, equals apples of rich flavor and good color.

  • Our Missouri climate and soil combine to give Missouri apples a superb flavor!

  • In 1890, Missouri produced 25,000,000 bushels of apples and was the leading apple producing state. Dry years, early hard freezes, insects, and diseases caused a big loss of apple orchards. Financial losses also had a serious effect on the orchard industry.

  • The big three in Missouri apples are Jonathan, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious.

  • In Missouri Jonathan harvest starts about the first of September. Red Delicious usually follows shortly after and Golden Delicious are picked toward the end of September.

  • Missouri has about 3,000 acres of bearing apple trees that produce an annual crop of 1 million bushels of apples.

  • The Missouri State Horticulture Society, established in 1859, is the oldest agricultural organization west of the Mississippi river. Each year this organization of commercial fruit growers has an educational and business meeting the third week in January.

  • The Missouri Apple Merchandising Board with regional representatives promotes the sale of apples, distributes promotional materials, and sponsors apple research.

  • Jonathan is the leading Missouri variety apple. No wonder! Did you know that the Jonathan apple has been grown for over 150 years in Missouri? It cooks, bakes, and fits easily in lunch sacks for everyday eating.

  • Golden Delicious is mild flavored, yet spicy and juicy. As a naturally sweet apple, it's a great apple for pies, apple sauce, and fresh salads.

  • Gala is an early variety that is ready in mid August and is a juicy crisp and sweet apple. If you have not eaten this variety, we suggest you try some.

  • Fuji is our best keeping apple. It will retain its crisp juicy texture for several months in cold storage. Fuji is very sweet and ready around mid-October.

  • Information on apple production may be obtained from:

    Michele Warmund
    State Fruit Extension Specialist
    1-87 Agriculture Bldg.
    Dept. of Horticulture,
    University of Missouri
    Columbia, MO 65211
    phone: 573-882-7511
    e-mail: warmundm@missouri.edu

    Patrick Byers
    Grower Advisor
    State Fruit Experiment Station
    Mountain Grove, MO 65711
    phone: 417-926-4105
    e-mail:plb711t@smsu.edu

  • Marketing Information may be obtained from:

    Tammy Bruckerhoff
    Horticulture Marketing Specialist
    PO Box 630
    Dept. of Agriculture
    Market Development Division,
    Jefferson City, MO 65102
    phone: 573-751-3394
    e-mail: mtdevdiv@mail.state.mo.us

  • New apple varieties, orchard trials, and demonstration research is conducted at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Station, New Franklin, MO and at the State Fruit Experiment Station, Mountain Grove, MO.

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    For further information about Missouri Apples contact:
    Dr. Michele R. Warmund, State Fruit Specialist
    1-87 Agriculture Building
    Columbia, MO 65211
    Phone: (573) 882-9632 Fax: (573) 882-1469

    The Missouri Apple site is maintained by the people at AgEBB at the University of Missouri.