.gif)
Fuji (apple)
Encyclopedia
The Fuji apple is an apple
clone
developed by growers at the Tohoku Research Station (農林省園芸試験場東北支場) in Fujisaki, Aomori
, Japan
, in the late 1930s, and brought to market in 1962. It originated as a cross between two American apple varieties, the Red Delicious
and old Virginia
Ralls Genet
(sometimes cited as "Rawls Jennet") apples.
It is named after "Fujisaki
([藤]崎)," Aomori Prefecture
(青森県), but often mistakenly thought to be named after Mount Fuji
(富士山).
Fuji apples are typically large or very large and round, on average 75mm in diameter. They contain between 9-11% sugars by weight and have a dense flesh that is sweeter and crisper than many other apple varieties, making them popular with consumers around the world. Fuji apples also have a very long shelf life
compared to other apples, even without refrigeration
. With refrigeration, Fuji apples can remain fresh for up to a year.
In Japan, Fuji apples continue to be an unrivaled best-seller. Japanese consumers prefer the crispy texture and sweetness of Fuji apples (which is somewhat reminiscent of the coveted Nashi Pear
) almost to the exclusion of other varieties and Japan's apple imports remain low. Aomori Prefecture
is perhaps the best known apple growing region of Japan. Of the roughly 900,000 ton
s of Japanese apples produced annually, 500,000 tons come from Aomori.
Outside of Japan the popularity of Fuji apples continues to grow. Fuji apples account for 80% of China's
20 million tons grown annually. Since their introduction into the U.S.
market
in the 1980s, Fuji apples have gained popularity with American consumers
as well: a stranger to American supermarket
shelves only 30 years ago, Fuji apples ranked at number 4 in 2003 on the US Apple Association's list of most popular apples, after Red Delicious
, Golden Delicious
, and Gala
. Fuji apples are now grown in traditional apple-growing states such as Washington, New York
, and California
as demand shifts in both the domestic and foreign markets toward Fuji apples. Washington, the grower of more than half of America's apple crop, produces about 135,000 tons of Fuji apples each year, with only Red Delicious and Golden Delicious outweighing Fuji.
s) of the Fuji apple have been recognized and propagated. In addition to those that have remained unpatented, twenty had received US plant patent
s by August, 2008:
Unpatented Fuji mutants include:
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
clone
Cloning
Cloning in biology is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually. Cloning in biotechnology refers to processes used to create copies of DNA fragments , cells , or...
developed by growers at the Tohoku Research Station (農林省園芸試験場東北支場) in Fujisaki, Aomori
Fujisaki, Aomori
is a town located in the Minamitsugaru District of east-central Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 16,055 and a density of 431 persons per km². Its total area was 37.26 km².-Geography:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, in the late 1930s, and brought to market in 1962. It originated as a cross between two American apple varieties, the Red Delicious
Red Delicious
The Red Delicious is a clone of apple cultigen, now comprising more than 50 cultivars, that was recognized in Madison County, Iowa, United States, in 1880...
and old Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
Ralls Genet
Ralls Genet
The Ralls Genet, sometimes spelled Ralls Janet or Rawls Jennet, is a cultivar of apple which originated in Virginia in the late 18th century...
(sometimes cited as "Rawls Jennet") apples.
It is named after "Fujisaki
Fujisaki, Aomori
is a town located in the Minamitsugaru District of east-central Aomori Prefecture in the Tōhoku region of Japan. As of 2009, the town had an estimated population of 16,055 and a density of 431 persons per km². Its total area was 37.26 km².-Geography:...
([藤]崎)," Aomori Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....
(青森県), but often mistakenly thought to be named after Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
(富士山).
Overview
Shelf life
Shelf life is the length of time that food, drink, medicine, chemicals, and many other perishable items are given before they are considered unsuitable for sale, use, or consumption...
compared to other apples, even without refrigeration
Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a process in which work is done to move heat from one location to another. This work is traditionally done by mechanical work, but can also be done by magnetism, laser or other means...
. With refrigeration, Fuji apples can remain fresh for up to a year.
In Japan, Fuji apples continue to be an unrivaled best-seller. Japanese consumers prefer the crispy texture and sweetness of Fuji apples (which is somewhat reminiscent of the coveted Nashi Pear
Nashi Pear
Pyrus pyrifolia is a pear tree species native to China, Japan, and Korea. The tree's edible fruit is known by many names, including: Asian pear, Chinese pear, Korean pear, Japanese pear, Taiwan pear, and sand pear.....
) almost to the exclusion of other varieties and Japan's apple imports remain low. Aomori Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....
is perhaps the best known apple growing region of Japan. Of the roughly 900,000 ton
Ton
The ton is a unit of measure. It has a long history and has acquired a number of meanings and uses over the years. It is used principally as a unit of weight, and as a unit of volume. It can also be used as a measure of energy, for truck classification, or as a colloquial term.It is derived from...
s of Japanese apples produced annually, 500,000 tons come from Aomori.
Outside of Japan the popularity of Fuji apples continues to grow. Fuji apples account for 80% of China's
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
20 million tons grown annually. Since their introduction into the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
in the 1980s, Fuji apples have gained popularity with American consumers
Consumer
Consumer is a broad label for any individuals or households that use goods generated within the economy. The concept of a consumer occurs in different contexts, so that the usage and significance of the term may vary.-Economics and marketing:...
as well: a stranger to American supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
shelves only 30 years ago, Fuji apples ranked at number 4 in 2003 on the US Apple Association's list of most popular apples, after Red Delicious
Red Delicious
The Red Delicious is a clone of apple cultigen, now comprising more than 50 cultivars, that was recognized in Madison County, Iowa, United States, in 1880...
, Golden Delicious
Golden Delicious
The Golden Delicious is a cultivar of apple with a yellow color. It is not closely related to the Red Delicious apple.- Appearance and flavor :...
, and Gala
Gala (apple)
Gala is a clonally propagated apple with a mild and sweet flavor. Gala apples ranked at number 2 in 2006 on the US Apple Association's list of most popular apples, after Red Delicious and before Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Fuji ....
. Fuji apples are now grown in traditional apple-growing states such as Washington, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
as demand shifts in both the domestic and foreign markets toward Fuji apples. Washington, the grower of more than half of America's apple crop, produces about 135,000 tons of Fuji apples each year, with only Red Delicious and Golden Delicious outweighing Fuji.
Mutant cultivars
Many sports (mutant cultivarCultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
s) of the Fuji apple have been recognized and propagated. In addition to those that have remained unpatented, twenty had received US plant patent
Plant Patent Act
The Plant Patent Act of 1930 is a United States federal law spurred by the work of Luther Burbank....
s by August, 2008:
| Date | "Inventor" | Marketed as | Mutated From | Assignee | Habit | Pattern | Earlier | Color | Plant Patent Number |
| Aug 29, 1989 | Hiraragi | Yataka | Fuji | Makoto Okada | standard | stripe | 1 Month | - | |
| Oct 6, 1992 | Yahagi | Heisei Fuji, Beni Shogun9645 | Yataka7001 | Nakajima Tenkoen | standard | solid | no | dark red | |
| Nov 17, 1992 | Cooper | T.A.C.#114 | Redsport Type 2 | T.A.C. | spur | stripe | 10–14 days | more brilliant red, 80—90% | |
| Sep 26, 1995 | Fukuda | Tensei | Fuji | Fukushima Tenkoen | standard, larger | stripe | no | same | |
| Apr 16, 1996 | Lynd | Fuji-Spike | Fuji | Lynd | spur | stripe | 0–5 days | same | |
| Sep 24, 1996 | Van Leuven | Myra | unknown red strain | C & O | standard | blush w/ subtle stripe | 1 week | bright pink | |
| Dec 9, 1997 | Auvil | Fuji 216 | T.A.C.#1148032 | Auvil | standard | blush | 5–21 days | brighter red, 90—100% | |
| Mar 24, 1998 | Coopr & Perkins | Fuji Compact T.A.C. #114 | T.A.C.#1148032 | T.A.C. | spur | same | same | same | |
| Jan 25, 2000 | Van Leuven | Fiero | Yataka7001 | C & O | standard | indistinct stripe | 7–10 days | more intense blush | |
| Sep 18, 2001 | Snyder | Snyder | BC 2 | Snyder | semi-spur | heavy stripe | same | same | |
| Nov 27, 2001 | Torres | Triple E | BC 2 | - | standard | 85—100% blush | 10–14 days | solid red | |
| Apr 16, 2002 | Rankin | Rankin Red | Yakata7001 | Twin Springs Fruit Farm | standard | 70—90% blush | 5 days | more intense | |
| Nov. 11, 2003 | Teague | Irene | BC 2 | - | standard | solid | 60 days | yellow | |
| Oct 26, 2004 | Braun | Brak | Fuji | Kiku | standard | striped | earlier | ruby red | |
| Feb 21, 2006 | Clevenger | Fugachee | Fuji | - | standard | 70—90% blush | 14 days before Fiero | - | |
| Jun 6, 2006 | Banning | Banning Red | Desert Rose Fuji | Banning | standard | stripe | - | redder | |
| Aug 14, 2007 | Lee, Edwards, Delugar | CABp | Nagafu 6 | CABp 4 | standard | stripe | - | "superior" | |
| Sep 11, 2007 | Eppich | Eppich 2 | T.A.C. #1148032 | - | standard | blush with light stripe | unclear | yellow and red | |
| Apr 29, 2008 | Braun | Fuji Fubrax | Fuji | Kiku SRL | standard | dark ruby red stripes and blush | late | green-yellow | |
| Jul 29, 2008 | Leis, Mazzola | Fujiko | Nagafu 12 | Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti | standard | diffused | - | more intense red |
Unpatented Fuji mutants include:
- BC 2
- Desert Rose Fuji
- Nagafu 2
- Nagafu 6
- Nagafu 12
- Redsport Type 1
- Redsport Type 2
See also
- Grapple (fruit)Grapple- Actions :* Grappling, techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage* Grappling , hybrid combat style which consists of applying submission techniques in order to make the opponent abandon the fight...
- a Concord grape-flavor-infused Fuji apple
External links
- http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp2/circular/2000/00-11/applesit.htm
- http://www.idfta.org/cft/1998/vol31no1/barritt/Barritt_Fuji.pdf
- http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/kitchen/handbooks/apples/northamerica.html
- Patents covering Fuji Apples
- The International Federation for Produce Coding (IFPC)
- Popular apple variety harbors unusual cell growth EurekAlert March 25, 2008