Fuji (apple)

Apple cultivar From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Fuji apple (Japanese: ふじ, Hepburn: Fuji) is an apple cultivar developed by growers at the Tōhoku Research Station of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (農林省園芸試験場東北支場, Nōrinshō engei shikenjō Tōhoku-shijō) in Fujisaki, Aomori, Japan, in 1939.[1] It originated as a cross between two American apple varieties—the Red Delicious and Ralls Janet (sometimes called "Rawls Jennet") apples.[2]

SpeciesMalus domestica
Hybrid parentageRed Delicious × Ralls Janet
CultivarFuji
OriginJapan Fujisaki, Aomori, 1939
Quick facts Species, Hybrid parentage ...
Fuji
SpeciesMalus domestica
Hybrid parentageRed Delicious × Ralls Janet
CultivarFuji
OriginJapan Fujisaki, Aomori, 1939
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The Fuji was named and brought to market in 1962; its name is derived from the first part of the town where it was developed: Fujisaki.[3] Its flavor is sweet and its texture is crisp. It can be used to make apple sauce.[4] According to the US Apple Association website, it is one of the nine most popular apple cultivars in the United States.[5]

Characteristics

Fuji apples are typically round and range from large to very large, averaging 75 millimetres (3.0 in) in diameter. They contain from 9–11% sugars by weight and have a dense flesh that is sweeter and crisper than many other apple cultivars, 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.[6]

The Fuji thrives in areas with relatively warm summers.[2] A late-season variety, the Fuji ripens after the McIntosh, Gala, and Honeycrisp, but at the same time as the Empire, Red Delicious, and EverCrisp.[7]

Popularity

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[citation needed] and Japan's apple imports remain low.[8] Aomori Prefecture, home of the Fuji apple, is the best known apple growing region of Japan. Of the roughly 900,000 tons of Japanese apples produced annually, 500,000 tons come from Aomori.

Outside Japan, the popularity of Fuji apples continues to grow. In 2016 and 2017, Fuji apples accounted for nearly 70% of China's 43 million tons grown.[9] The Fuji has been a market success in North America since its debut there in the late twentieth century.[10][11] As of 2024, the Fuji ranked fifth among the most popular apple varieties in the United States, behind only the Gala, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp.[12] It is also one of the top varieties in Canada, alongside the Ambrosia, Gala, and Honeycrisp.[11] Most American Fuji apples are grown Washington State, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Oregon.[13]: 20  However, by 2025, the Fuji dropped to sixth place in Washington State, overtaken by the Cosmic Crisp.[14]

Decades after its introduction, the Fuji remains one of the top apple varieties in the United States.

In the United States and Canada, the price look-up code for Fuji apples is 4131.

Gallery

  • Fuji apples
    Fuji apples
  • Fuji Kiku on a tree
    Fuji Kiku on a tree
  • A Fuji apple with a United States PLU code attached
    A Fuji apple with a United States PLU code attached
  • Fuji apples on a display in a supermarket
    Fuji apples on a display in a supermarket
  • A Fuji apple tree in Iwaki, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan.
    A Fuji apple tree in Iwaki, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan.

Mutant cultivars

Many sports (mutant cultivars) of the Fuji apple have been recognized and propagated. In addition to those that have remained unpatented, twenty had received US plant patents by August 2008:

More information Date, "Inventor" ...
Date "Inventor" Marketed as Mutated from Assignee Habit Pattern Earlier Color Plant patent number
Aug 29, 1989HiraragiYatakaFujiMakoto Okadastandardstripe1 Month–US plant patent 7001
Oct 6, 1992YahagiHeisei Fuji, Beni Shogun9645Yataka7001Nakajima Tenkoenstandardsolidnodark redUS plant patent 7997
Nov 17, 1992CooperT.A.C.#114Redsport Type 2T.A.C.spurstripe10–14 daysmore brilliant red, 80—90%US plant patent 8032
Sep 26, 1995FukudaTenseiFujiFukushima Tenkoenstandard, largerstripenosameUS plant patent 9298
Apr 16, 1996LyndFuji-SpikeFujiLyndspurstripe0–5 dayssameUS plant patent 9508
Sep 24, 1996Van LeuvenMyraunknown red strainC & Ostandardblush w/ subtle stripe1 weekbright pinkUS plant patent 9645
Dec 9, 1997AuvilFuji 216T.A.C.#1148032Auvilstandardblush5–21 daysbrighter red, 90—100%US plant patent 10141
Mar 24, 1998Coopr & PerkinsFuji Compact T.A.C. #114T.A.C.#1148032T.A.C.spursamesamesameUS plant patent 10291
Jan 25, 2000Van LeuvenFieroYataka7001C & Ostandardindistinct stripe7–10 daysmore intense blushUS plant patent 11193
Sep 18, 2001SnyderSnyderBC 2Snydersemi-spurheavy stripesamesameUS plant patent 12098
Nov 27, 2001TorresTriple EBC 2–standard85—100% blush10–14 dayssolid redUS plant patent 12219
Apr 16, 2002RankinRankin RedYakata7001Twin Springs Fruit Farmstandard70—90% blush5 daysmore intenseUS plant patent 12551
Nov. 11, 2003TeagueIreneBC 2–standardsolid60 daysyellowUS plant patent 14299
Oct 26, 2004BraunBrakFujiKikustandardstripedearlierruby redUS plant patent 15261
Feb 21, 2006ClevengerFugacheeFuji–standard70—90% blush14 days before Fiero–US plant patent 16270
Jun 6, 2006BanningBanning RedDesert Rose FujiBanningstandardstripe–redderUS plant patent 16624
Aug 14, 2007Lee, Edwards, DelugarCABpNagafu 6CABp 4standardstripe–"superior"US plant patent 17914
Sep 11, 2007EppichEppich 2T.A.C. #1148032–standardblush with light stripeunclearyellow and redUS plant patent 18004
Apr 29, 2008BraunFuji FubraxFujiKiku SRLstandarddark ruby red stripes and blushlategreen-yellowUS plant patent 18761
Jul 29, 2008Leis, MazzolaFujikoNagafu 12Consorzio Italiano Vivaististandarddiffused–more intense redUS plant patent 19054
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Unpatented Fuji mutants include:

  • BC 2
  • Desert Rose Fuji
  • Nagafu 2
  • Nagafu 6
  • Nagafu 12
  • Redsport Type 1
  • Redsport Type 2

Descendant cultivars

See also

References

External links

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