Just to put it out there, the manager doesn’t sell Lishan honey apples, nor do we offer a purchasing service. Many Lishan tea farmers also grow apples on the side. Since the manager purchases quite a bit of tea, the farmers often gift some apples as well. Just received several more boxes over the past couple of days—honey apples are ridiculously good this year!
Lishan honey apples are mainly grown in Songmao, Huanshan, around Fushoushan Farm, Cuiluan, and Dayuling. Since the manager frequently visits these tea regions, I’ve picked up quite a few insider secrets about honey apples.
Fun Fact 1: Which season and origin produce the best honey apples?
The harvest season runs through October and November. Furthermore, “As long as the apples still have leaves in the later stages, the longer they stay on the branch, the higher their ripeness becomes. This results in a higher density of honey cores, making them crunchier and sweeter, so the later the harvest, the better the quality.” Simply put, the later they’re picked while still on the tree, the better they taste. Additionally, large temperature variations help develop better honey cores, which makes Fushoushan Farm and Dayuling the ultimate origins for honey apples (due to their highest altitude).
Rumor 2: Many Lishan honey apples are fake
Just like Lishan tea, there are plenty of fake honey apples out there—even roadside stalls in Lishan aren’t guaranteed to be selling the real deal. For instance, much of the fruit sold right in front of the Lishan Guest House isn’t actually grown in Lishan.
Rumor 3: Lishan honey apples are expensive
Market prices generally range from NT$1,500 to NT$2,000 per small box, depending on the grade. The box the store manager uploaded usually sells for NT$2,000. If you are quoted a price that is too low, chances are 80% that they are fake.
The honey apples the store manager received this year come from Dayuling, Cuiluan, and areas near Fushoushan Farm. The honey core development this year is utterly insane! Everyone, take a look—the darker areas in the photos are honey glands, not bruises from being dropped! The manager just randomly cut open this one, and later on, even ones that were half-eaten were still full of honey. They are unbelievably sweet!
