Detailed Explanation of Apple Grade Classification Standards and Methods
Apples are a common fruit in daily life. When we go to the fruit supermarket to buy them, we find that some are very expensive and some are very cheap. What is going on? It turns out that this is related to the grading of apples. So, how are apple grades distinguished?
Apples are mainly divided into 3 grades, with the following classification standards:
Grade 1 apples: The fruit shape is regular and the fruit stem is intact. The Delicious series requires more than 90% coloring, and other fruits more than 70%. The fruit diameter of large fruits is not less than 65mm, and that of medium fruits is not less than 60mm. Red varieties allow slight bruising, with a total area not exceeding 1cm² and the largest spot not exceeding 0.5cm²; yellow varieties not exceeding 0.5cm², and with no other damage.
Grade 2 apples: The Delicious series requires 70% coloring, and other fruits 50%. Damage must not exceed two items (bruising not exceeding 1cm², with the largest spot not exceeding 0.5cm²; leaf and branch rubbing damage not exceeding 1cm²; Golden Delicious rust spots not exceeding 3cm²; water rust and flyspeck disease not exceeding 1cm²; 2 unbroken hail injuries allowed, with a total area not exceeding 0.5cm²; sunburn area for red varieties not exceeding 1.5cm², and sunburn area for yellow varieties not exceeding 1²). No stab injuries, broken-skin injuries, disease, insect damage, shriveling, freezing injury, lumps, or black branch rubbing.
Grade 3 apples: The Delicious series requires 50% coloring, and other fruits 40%. Damage must not exceed three items (bruising not exceeding 1cm², with the largest spot not exceeding 0.5cm²; branch and leaf rubbing damage not exceeding 1cm²; Golden Delicious net-like rust spot area not exceeding 1/8 of the fruit surface, and the rubbed rust area extending beyond the shoulder not exceeding 1cm²; water rust and flyspeck area not exceeding 1cm²; pesticide damage not exceeding 1/10; slight hail injury area not exceeding 1cm²; sunburn not exceeding 1.5cm²; other dried insect injuries allow 3 spots, each with an area not exceeding 0.03cm²; small blemishes not exceeding 5). There must be no stab injuries, broken-skin injuries, codling moth injuries, healed other insect injuries with an area greater than 0.03cm², disease, shriveling, or freezing injury.