A European Initiative: A French Apple A Day! The French Taste Arrives In India

There is a certain poetry to the way French orchards awaken each autumn. The light softens, the air grows sweeter and rows of apple trees begin to glow from within, their branches heavy with fruit that has ripened at its own unhurried rhythm. Each apple carries a season’s worth of patience, shaped by the richness of French soil, the gentleness of its climate and the generations of growers who understand that excellence is never rushed. It is this mastery that underpins the European campaign, showcasing the expertise behind Europe’s fresh fruits and vegetables brings to India this year, as French apples return with renewed abundance and unmistakable character.

France has long been regarded as the keeper of some of the world’s most extraordinary apples, a reputation earned through generations of care and craft. This season, that legacy feels especially poignant. Even as climate patterns shift and global agriculture faces new uncertainties, French growers stand firm, innovating, adapting and nurturing their orchards with a devotion that borders on poetic. The result is a harvest that arrives as a story: generous and deeply rooted in a culture that values both tradition and transformation.

Resilience In Every Harvest

In 2025, French apple production is expected to reach 1.485 million tons, a meaningful rise from last year and a figure that surpasses the three-year average. What makes French apples truly remarkable is the diversity born from this landscape. The balanced climate, fertile soils and meticulous farming practices give each variety a distinct personality. Royal Gala offers a crisp bite with a gentle, floral sweetness. Granny Smith carries a vivid, refreshing tang that brightens both salads and desserts. Pixie Bio, smaller in size yet full of juice, delivers purity and freshness in every bite.

Pink Lady® balances natural sweetness with a clean acidity, while Juliet®, cherished for being one of France’s leading organic varieties, stands out for its mellow, honeyed aroma. These flavour profiles are shaped not only by terroir but also by the growers’ commitment to sustainable methods, precision irrigation, thoughtful soil stewardship and eco-friendly pest control that allow orchards to thrive in harmony with their surroundings, as taste is inseparable from ethics.

This year’s crop reflects both heritage and evolution. Classic international favourites such as Gala, Golden, Granny, Fuji and Rouges continue their steady presence. Traditional French varieties like Chantecler, Canada Grise and Boskoop flourish with quiet confidence. Club varieties, including Pink Lady®, Jazz™, Joya and Juliet®, show continued growth, while emerging varieties make a striking leap, with production estimated to rise by over 50 per cent. It is a season shaped by curiosity, innovation and a deep belief in quality.

An Evening Inspired By Orchards

To mark the arrival of French apples in India, the European campaign led by INTERFEL hosted a media workshop on 17 December at Food Square. The gathering gave guests an intimate introduction to the fruit’s character through guided tastings that highlighted the crisp sweetness of Royal Gala, the bright acidity of Granny Smith and the delicate juiciness of Pixie Bio. A short kombucha workshop by Vikram Mittal added a playful interlude, followed by a small selection of hors d'oeuvres and desserts by Chef Sushil Multani that showcased the apple’s versatility. The event offered a glimpse into the world of French apples without overshadowing the true heart of the story, the fruit itself.

As the season unfolds, the European Campaign will continue to bring the spirit of French orchards to the city through retail showcases, in-store tastings and interactive experiences. Supermarket shelves all across India have welcomed Royal Gala, Granny Smith and Pixie®, inviting families to savour apples that carry the elegance, vitality and quiet romance of France.

At its heart, the campaign is more than a celebration of fruit. It is a tribute to the growers whose hands have shaped the harvest, to the land that nurtures it and to the enduring belief that simple pleasures, like the crisp bite of a perfect apple, can carry the essence of a place. This year, French apples arrive in India as a story written in sweetness, resilience and the timeless generosity of nature.