German shoppers repeatedly slip on common apple‑buying mistakes

Supermarket customers in Germany often make the same errors when purchasing apples. They frequently pick the wrong variety, ignore visible defects such as bruises or wrinkled skins, and rely on colour alone, even though colour does not reliably indicate taste.

Advice from retailers stresses checking firmness – a solid feel and a dull sound when tapped suggest juiciness – and avoiding apples with cuts or soft spots that can lead to rapid spoilage. Seasonal awareness is also important; domestic apples are typically harvested between August and October.

Industry facts note that while about 20,000 apple varieties exist worldwide and roughly 1,000 are grown in Germany, only around 40 are sold in stores. The average German consumes about 23 kg of apples per year. Apple seeds contain cyanogenic compounds, but a dangerous dose would require chewing around 150 seeds, far beyond normal consumption.