Fast delivery
Get in as fast as 1 hour
It’s all local
Shop your favorites
Direct chat
Connect with shoppers
Tsugaru Apples Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Tsugaru apples
An easy way to get the best Tsugaru apples is by using the Instacart app. Our Instacart shoppers will choose the best Tsugaru apples and bring them directly to your door. This way, you can save time, energy, and money, with same-day delivery in as little as 2 hours! We can't wait to see what you do with your Tsugaru apples!
About Tsugaru apples
Originating from Japan, Tsugaru apples are one of the sweetest apples you'll ever find. Its parent, the Golden Delicious, is similar in profile, but the Tsugaru apple is slightly more firm. The apples grow in Japan from late summer into early winter and were named after the district of Tsugaru, located in the Aomori prefecture.
Tsugaru apples are moderately sized and mostly a pink/blush color, although they often have a yellow-green base. On the inside, the flesh is white and crisp with black-brown seeds. Some say the sweetness overpowers the "apple flavor" of this particular apple, and it doesn't taste much like a traditional apple at all. The flavor is very sweet, with a very mild acidity; if you have a sweet tooth, you have to get your hands on one of these uniquely flavored apples!
These apples are unique for more than just their flavor profile. Tsugaru apples are cultivated using two unique methods, one of which uses bags around the fruit. The first method is called "San Tsugaru," where the fruits are left in the full sun, allowing the apples to grow with the highest possible sugar content. The second method aims to do the opposite. This method uses bags to cover the fruit to prevent exposure to the sun, causing paler skin with a more tart flavor.
How to pick out Tsugaru apples
As is with any apple, Tsugaru apples are best picked when firm, without bruising or decay, and when they have a fresh aroma. You can't go wrong by picking up an apple from the bunch and examining it to see the color (you'll want a blush/pink), the firmness, and to ensure there are no blemishes that may interfere with the shelf life of the apples. When stored correctly, they can be kept for up to 5 months in the refrigerator.
Interesting facts about Tsugaru apples
Tsugaru apples have significant cultural importance in Japan. The prefecture they are grown in is one of the top apple-producing regions, with over 56% of apples in Japan coming from the area. It has the right climate for apple cultivation, with four distinct seasons; spring, summer, fall, and winter. Apples first were introduced in this region in the 1870s; when legend has it, the headmaster of the local school, Kantei Kikuchi, planted apple trees in his garden and gifted his students with apples as a snack.
While apples have been in the Tsugaru region for hundreds of years, the Tsugaru apple didn't get introduced in Japan until 1975. They didn't make it to the United States until 20 years later, in 1999, where they are now cultivated and sold in specialty stores and farmer's markets.
Tsugaru Apples Near Me
Buy your favorite Tsugaru Apples online with Instacart. Order Tsugaru Apples from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about Tsugaru apples
The apples were developed at the Aomori Prefectural Apple Experimental Station in the 1930s. They were created by cross-breeding Kodama apples and Golden Delicious apples and took over 40 years of experiments to get right. The apples are only available for a short season and are now cultivated in Aomori, Yamagata, and Nagano prefectures in Japan. They are available in the United States in select stores.
You may think that due to their sweet flavor, Tsugaru apples do not pose the same health benefits as traditional apples you see in your grocery store. However, these apples are a good course of fiber, which helps regulate digestion. They also have significant levels of Vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system. They also have other types of vitamins such as Vitamin A, Calcium, Potassium, and Iron, all of which help your body in various ways.
Due to their sweetness, Tsugaru apples make excellent apples to snack on, all on their own. Their sweet flavor, crisp skin, and juicy flesh make for a delicious afternoon treat. Their flesh does not brown quickly when cut, making them great for children's lunches, fruit plates, or various types of salads. If you love cheese boards, Tsugaru apples pair well with a variety of cheese such as blue, cheddar, and goat, and they make great complements to nuts such as walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and hazelnuts. They also make an excellent sweetener for smoothies and juices, as well as the base of jams, butters, and compotes. The possibilities for Tsugaru apples are truly endless!