Produce
Apples
Apples are the most-eaten fresh fruit in the U.S., which matters more than their mid-to-high residue index: a food you eat five times a week carries more weight in an organic budget than one you buy twice a year.
Organic upgrade priority
Prioritize organic
Score 52/100 · about $3.30 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 77/100 against 16/100 for organic — a 61-point difference.
- →At about 4.5 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
- →Sample confidence is moderate, so the score is weighted down by 10%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 77/100
- Higher residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 70/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $2.09
- per lb · organic +53%
- Servings a week
- 4.5
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 1,485
- Conventional, 2016–2024 · 98 organic
- Data confidence
- Moderate
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional apples
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 1,485 | 98 |
| Program years | 2016–2024 | 2016–2024 |
| Samples with any residue | 98% | 41% |
| Mean residues per sample | 4.2 | 0.6 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.07% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 77/100 | 16/100 |
| Typical price | $2.09 / lb | $3.19 / lb |
Nutrition
Per 1 medium (182 g).
95
calories
0.5 g
protein
4.4 g
fiber
19 g
sugar
- Fiber 16% DV
- Pectin (soluble fiber)
- Quercetin in the skin
How to wash apples
Rub under running water for 20–30 seconds; the wax coating applied after harvest holds residues more stubbornly than bare skin. Peeling removes more, but also removes most of the fiber and nearly all the quercetin.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Apples are stored for months in controlled-atmosphere rooms, so a "fresh" apple in May was picked the previous autumn. Nutrition holds up well; texture does not — buy firm fruit that feels heavy for its size.
- ◆Because apples are eaten so often and organic ones are widely stocked at a modest premium, they are usually the highest-value single upgrade for households with children.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic apples?
Yes, if you are upgrading anything. Apples scores 52/100 on organic upgrade priority — conventional samples index 77/100 against 16/100 for organic, and at roughly 4.5 servings a week per person that difference applies often. The upgrade costs about $3.30 a week for 2 people.
›Are apples high in pesticides?
Apples shows higher residue evidence — an index of 77/100 relative to other commodities. Across 1,485 conventional samples from 2016–2024, 98% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 4.2 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.07% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic apples cost?
About 53% more at typical U.S. retail — $2.09 per lb conventional against $3.19 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $3.30 a week.
›How should I wash apples?
Rub under running water for 20–30 seconds; the wax coating applied after harvest holds residues more stubbornly than bare skin. Peeling removes more, but also removes most of the fiber and nearly all the quercetin.
›What can I buy instead of apples?
If the organic version is out of budget or the fresh price has spiked, Pineapple, Mangoes, Kiwi cover similar ground on this list. Each one is either lower on residue evidence, cheaper per serving, or both.
Related foods
Kiwi
$0.79 / each · organic $1.19
Mangoes
$1.69 / each · organic $2.69
Pineapple
$3.99 / each · organic $5.99
Blackberries
$3.49 / 6 oz container · organic $4.99