Taste of Bagged Apples Vs. Loose Apples

[cheapchick]

Kind of a weird topic but...

Something I've noticed over the years is that loose apples taste better than bagged apples. Stores will sell 3 pounds of bagged apples for less then buying the same type and amount of apples loose but the bagged apples always taste terrible! They usually have a bland cork-like taste.

I decided to take a chance and buy a 3 pound bag of Galas at WM. I love Galas; they never disappoint. But again bland bland bland! Even though they cost less per pound bagged apples waste me money because I won't eat them.

I've tried Googling for an answer or to see if anyone else has noticed the loose vs. bagged difference. Can't find an answer! It can't be just me noticing this?

The bagged apples are usually smaller in size too. I'm thinking there is a difference in quality. Maybe the smaller inferior apples get sorted out and bagged to be sold at a cheaper price.

Also noticed possible differences in where the apples are grown: East vs West.

[434Teresa]

yes all bagged fruit it this way pretty much. I try to buy lose unless I just cant do it that week.

[sandratesch]

I buy loose all the time. Bagged-ICK!

[Rene S]

I usually buy loose too, unless I'm making a pie where I need several pounds' worth. Maybe they don't taste good because they are packaged in plastic and can't breathe as well?

[abond0017]

I have noticed this as well...you definitely aren't the only one. I think the companies that put out the bags must just buy from farms that have sucky fruit...probably cause they on't put as much effort/technique into producing good stock which makes sense with bagged fruit being cheaper. The farmers don't invest as much in their stock, so you pay less than the fruit from farmers who do so their fruit tastes better. At least that is what makes sense to me...not sure if that is really what the deal is.

[angeliainwonderland]

I grew up on a family owned peach and appple orchard. We also had a family owned grocery stores and greenhouses and produce stands. I have been on many trips to city markets to buy produce.
The apples in bags are what are called 2nds. They are the smaller or blemished apples that are picked out during the sorting process. The 1sts get sold in the big boxes wholesale and that is what goes in bin loose at retail store.

[aCRaZyCoUpoNgiRl]

I buy braeburn loose only. So good!

[abond0017]

I grew up on a family owned peach and appple orchard. We also had a family owned grocery stores and greenhouses and produce stands. I have been on many trips to city markets to buy produce.
The apples in bags are what are called 2nds. They are the smaller or blemished apples that are picked out during the sorting process. The 1sts get sold in the big boxes wholesale and that is what goes in bin loose at retail store.

If they only had blemishes or were just smaller, wouldn't they still taste the same being from the same crop? I mean the ones I have seen aren't THAT blemished or too small to think they actually had anything wrong with them that could affect the taste that drastically. I buy farmers market fruit only now (cause the grocery store's suck so much) and they don't seem to distinguish 1sts and 2nds as I find many of them are blemished when I buy them...they taste just the same as the others that aren't. Hmmmm. The mystery remains LOL.

[angeliainwonderland]

If they only had blemishes or were just smaller, wouldn't they still taste the same being from the same crop? I mean the ones I have seen aren't THAT blemished or too small to think they actually had anything wrong with them that could affect the taste that drastically. I buy farmers market fruit only now (cause the grocery store's suck so much) and they don't seem to distinguish 1sts and 2nds as I find many of them are blemished when I buy them...they taste just the same as the others that aren't. Hmmmm. The mystery remains LOL.

Some are picked out as 2nds for being picked underripe this does affect taste. Also some apples are sold as 2nds due to weather issues during growing seasons. Different problms with weather do cause changes in texture and flavor.
The rules for selling to wholesalers is a lot different than sellling at a farmer's market. Wholesale buyers have many different criteria for categories ie, size , ripeness, blemises, etc. At a Farmer's market the person selling is the wholesaler and they decide the sorting criteria.

If you are shopping at Farmer's Markets your best bet and cheapest way to buy would be buying 1/2 bushels or larger of 2nds. They may not put these out or bring them as bigger profit is made selling baskets. But around here if you ask they usually have some they would be happy to bring for you the next time.

[saversavory]

The bagged apples are more likely to be cold storage apples from the previous year.