Finnish Apples – INSIDER

Vol 27, Issue 2, 31^st January 2025

Since the winter has almost reached its end and, while we are waiting for the spring, it is a good time to bring up the topic ‘Finnish apples’. Apples have taken a significant place in Finland’s food culture since ancient days. By looking at Finland’s weather, someone can feel that there’s no favourable weather for a successful apple crop but the situation is different from that. The country has a wide variety of apples spread from southern to northern where the temperature is higher and lower respectively. Compared to other countries, the Finnish apple season is comparatively short. However, the apple trees will get good sunlight during the summer due to the long daytime which helps to produce a massive apple harvest domestically. Even though the Finnish apple industry doesn’t have a big market recognition, it has an unmatched taste and quality compared to other apples in the global market.

The following are the most popular apple varieties in Finland.

Huvitus – This is a Finnish apple breed that has a sweet and slightly tangy flavour. Best known for fresh eating, juice making and applesauce making.
Pippuri – This can be widely seen in colder regions in Finland. It has a high acid level and that makes it perfect for baking. Ideal for apple pies and apple cakes.
Antonovka – Originally from Russia and widely spread in Finland. Perfect for jams, juices, and ciders due to its strong flavour.
Kaneli – This apple variation has a special aroma that feels like cinnamon. Commonly used in making unique Finnish apple pastries and cakes.

When talking about the sustainability side of the Finnish apple industry, many Finnish farmers are following organic farming practices. Since the country naturally has colder weather to fight against pests and diseases, the use of chemicals is at a low level in the agricultural industry. The same applies to the apple industry. Apple waste is also used to make fertilizer and animal foods in order to minimize the total waste.

When talking about apple juice, Finns love to store and consume apple juice, especially after the summer. There are separate cold storage in most of the houses or apartments which can be used to store this excess apple juice. Mixing various kinds of apples will give a unique taste rather than juicing the same kind of apples. The juice yield is approximately 4-7 litres from 10 kg. Pasteurization will help to store juices for a long period compared to other general methods.

So, it is clear that apples are not just a fruit for Finns. It is a culture with a long history for them. Let’s wait for the summer and enjoy the beauty of this apple culture once again during this summer.