Apple

Poland is the largest apple producer in the European Union, and the orchards around Grójec are called the largest orchard in Europe.

The apple is a small tree growing to 5–10 m, with a broad crown and ovate, serrated leaves. In spring it is covered in white-and-pink blossom pollinated mainly by bees, and in autumn it bears apples of enormous variety in colour, flavour and ripening time. It descends from the wild Sievers’ apple of the mountains of Central Asia, and thousands of cultivars, propagated by grafting onto rootstocks, are grown worldwide. The fruit is eaten raw and made into juice, cider, dried apple and preserves.

Significance in the country

Polish orchards produce several million tonnes of apples a year, and old varieties such as Antonówka and Szara Reneta are a fixture of the country’s culinary tradition – from szarlotka apple cake to duck with apples. Apples from Grójec and Łącko have EU geographical indications.

Where it grows

Grown throughout the country; the largest fruit-growing area lies around Grójec and Warka in Masovia, and other important areas include the Lublin region, the area around Sandomierz and Łącko in the Island Beskids.

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