World Apple Day in Europe – How we celebrate it across the continent
Every year, World Apple Day reminds us just how delicious, unique, and versatile this fruit is. In Europe, where apples ripen in orchards stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, the celebration is embraced not only by orchardists but also by families and local communities.
World Apple Day, also known as Apple Day, brings together producers, importers, and apple enthusiasts. This joyful celebration, established in 1992 by the British charity Common Ground, promotes not only the fruit itself but also sustainable apple production (protecting the natural environment and human health), culinary traditions related to apples, and innovations in orchard management.
During World Apple Day celebrations across Europe, there is often an emphasis on the high quality of European apples – something particularly valued by global buyers, including importers from India and Vietnam.
World Apple Day in the Heart of Europe’s Largest Orchard
In Poland – the source of one in every three apples grown in Europe – the main hub of celebrations is Warka, the capital of a region known as the “Largest Orchard in Europe.” This area is famed for its high concentration of apple orchards and long-standing orchard traditions. In Warka, World Apple Day is celebrated on September 28. During a joyful family picnic held in the town square, visitors can enjoy apple tastings, culinary shows featuring apple-inspired dishes by well-known chefs, workshops for children and adults, and a contest for the best apple pie. The jury judges the pies based on taste, appearance, and originality.
In Poland, World Apple Day is a perfect occasion to explore the richness of Polish apple varieties and spend quality time with family and friends. Schools, municipalities, agricultural organizations, and local associations are highly engaged in promoting the celebration.
Western Europe: Intergenerational Fun and Special Events
In Western European countries, World Apple Day is celebrated on October 21. In France, it is known as La fête de la pomme – an opportunity for intergenerational fun and joyful festivities. Across regions from Normandy to Provence, there are numerous tastings and competitions for the best cider – a light, refreshing alcoholic beverage made through the fermentation of apple juice. Workshops on identifying apple varieties are also popular, especially among children, who learn to recognize apples not just by taste, but also by touch and scent. The French eagerly share recipes for the classic tarte aux pommes – a fragrant apple tart.
In the UK, Apple Day includes dozens of unique events – from urban gatherings in London to local fairs in small towns. Farmers showcase old and forgotten apple varieties as curiosities. There are branch-pruning championships, contests for the best apple-related story, and original games such as “apple wanging” – where participants throw apples as far as possible.
