September - apple

In autumn, it's time for apple harvesting. Early varieties are already harvested in August, while late ones are harvested until around the end of October.

Although apples typically remain juicy and crisp long after the harvest, it's almost unavoidable that they eventually turn mealy when bitten into. This is a natural process where the fruits continue to ripen and slowly lose moisture after being harvested.

To keep apples fresh for as long as possible, they should always be stored in a dark and cool place. If you don't have a cellar, you can also place the apples in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator. However, you should make sure to separate them from other types of fruits and vegetables. The reason is that apples release the gas ethylene, which accelerates the ripening process of other products.

Even though mealy apples don't taste as good fresh, they are ideal for baking and cooking. You can use them, for example, to create a delicious apple crumble.