The Real Reason Apples Have a Waxy Coating, According to An Apple Farmer

It’s not just to keep the fruit looking shiny. Buying apples from the grocery store typically meansselecting froma stack of glossy, beautiful fruit. Look a little closer, and you might notice that the shiny coating is a bit waxy and wonder why it’s there. It turns out there’s a purpose to the wax, and it has everything to do with keeping the apples in tip-top condition for better storage and longevity. To find out exactly what this coating is, why it’s on the fruit, and whether it’s safe to eat, I turned to an expert: fourth-generation apple and pear farmerKait Thornton. What Exactly Is the Waxy Coating on Apples? The shiny, waxy coating on apples at the grocery store was likely added after harvest. However, it’s meant to replicate the covering that already naturally occurs on the fruit, according to Thornton. “We call it the cuticle of the apple. It creates a barrier that protects the fruit from getting cuts, which can make it go bad. It also helps with water retention.” As apples are harvested and make their way to a packing plant, they’re rinsed to remove debris. During that process, they move across a brush roller with a small amount of acidity in the water, and some of the naturally occurring wax on the fruit comes off. “If you’re sending that fruit anywhere, you want it to look presentable. It would look duller if it’s not washed or the wax isn’t reapplied. It’s something that’s been done for over 100 years,” says Thornton. Related Stories To reapply the wax, apples are gently sprayed with (not dipped) a thin coating that may contain beeswax, carnauba, or shellac. “We don’t want to alter the taste of the fruit, but it’s a protective measure and helps toprevent food waste,” explains Thornton.

It’s not just to keep the fruit looking shiny.