Strange thing inside apple - Ask Extension
Hello there!
I am writing because I found something inside an apple I was eating that I’ve never seen before. I’ve asked cider makers and other fa...
Knowledgebase
Strange thing inside apple #639568
Asked May 22, 2020, 4:25 PM EDT
Hello there!
I am writing because I found something inside an apple I was eating that I’ve never seen before. I’ve asked cider makers and other farmers and they all said they haven’t seen this. It has a different texture than the Apple. It reminded me of a scallop, or a hotdog, not crunchy like the apple. There were no entry holes. Thank you! It may be a pink lady, and I got from Imperfect food CSA- so not sure where it is from.
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for sending these photos.
When you cut through the core there was no entry or damage through the blossom or stem end? Sometimes insects like codling moth gain access that way. It could be that the insect fed and wasn't able to exit the fruit for whatever reason. The other possibility is that this is post harvest physiological issue related to fruit maturity or storage conditions. (Apples are held in controlled storage environments so we can have fruit all year long.)
There is an issue called water core which can cause somewhat similar but not exactly the same symptoms. I'm going to reach out to our post harvest experts at OSU and get confirmation. If I hear back anything differently, I will send a reply through this system.
I'll be in touch!
When you cut through the core there was no entry or damage through the blossom or stem end? Sometimes insects like codling moth gain access that way. It could be that the insect fed and wasn't able to exit the fruit for whatever reason. The other possibility is that this is post harvest physiological issue related to fruit maturity or storage conditions. (Apples are held in controlled storage environments so we can have fruit all year long.)
There is an issue called water core which can cause somewhat similar but not exactly the same symptoms. I'm going to reach out to our post harvest experts at OSU and get confirmation. If I hear back anything differently, I will send a reply through this system.
I'll be in touch!
Hi there,
Thank you for responding. I have saved the Apple. I did not see any entry signs on either end. However it seems to have come in from top- due to location. Anyhow, It didn’t look like coddling moth damage or water core. But I know nothing but what I’ve seen online and heard from others. I’m wondering if it’s an opportunist fungus that got in there after something else?
Thank you for looking into this. I sent it to Dave at 2 Towns Cider and he didn’t recognize either.
I appreciate your help. Happy to bring the apple to some one too. It’s been in fridge. Nina
I appreciate your help. Happy to bring the apple to some one too. It’s been in fridge. Nina
Hi again, I did find a pretty similar picture online- on a question board, but wasn’t identified- thought I’d pass it on too, in case it help.
Thanks,
Nina
Nina
Whelp, you've stumped the experts! I reached out the commercial apple experts at Oregon State University and Washington State University. None of them knew exactly what was going on with your apple. They all do agree that this is likely in response to some type of injury (maybe due to insect feeding but your guess of fungal infection is equally as probably) but aren't 100% sure from this photo alone.
I'll let you know if I hear anything back. Usually if a problem stumps the experts they will circulate it among their colleagues and so we might get an answer back yet!
Take care and thanks for sharing your mystery!
I'll let you know if I hear anything back. Usually if a problem stumps the experts they will circulate it among their colleagues and so we might get an answer back yet!
Take care and thanks for sharing your mystery!
