Experience the fruitiest time of the year
4 September 2025
September heralds one of the most beautiful times of the year: the picking season. The orchards in the Netherlands are full of apples and pears, ready to be picked. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the origin of our fruit up close, in the middle of nature. Whether you go with family, friends or children, picking fruit yourself strengthens the bond with our food. You see how the fruit ripens, learn to recognise different varieties and experience that fruit picked fresh from the tree really does taste best.
Apples and pears (hard fruits) are not only versatile in cooking, but also rich in nutrients. They contain fibre, vitamin C and are a healthy choice for any time of the day. From the classic Elstar and Conference to special varieties such as Jonagold and Doyenné du Comice, there is a variety to suit everyone.
The Fruitiest Hard Fruit Days
This year, the picking season gets off to an extra festive start with the Hardfruit Days. This event is all about experience:
Picking yourself in the orchard - Discover how fun and educational it is to harvest your own apples and pears.
Tastings - Be surprised by the taste differences between varieties and enjoy local produce.
Activities for children - From treasure hunts through the orchard to creative fruit craft corners.
Knowledge and inspiration - Farmers and fruit growers will tell you all about sustainable growing, new varieties and the best way to store fruit.
The Hard Fruit Days are thus not only a feast for the taste buds, but also an opportunity to learn more about our fruit cultivation and the role of hard fruit in a healthy and sustainable diet. Find out more or plan your visit via the Fruitiest Hardfruit Days website.
Tips for your picking day
- Bring a sturdy bag or crate for your harvest.
- Pick carefully: twist the fruit slightly upwards so that the stalk remains intact.
- Keep your apples and pears cool and dark for a longer shelf life.
- Turn them into a cooking project: bake an apple pie, stew pears or incorporate the fruit into a fresh salad.
Getting started with apples and pears
Bring the harvest to life with these two tasty recipes. One puts apple in the spotlight, the other makes pear shine:
Vegan brown bean dish with apple leek curry
A nutritious main dish in which apple combines surprisingly fresh with curry, leeks and brown beans. A delicious, plant-based twist on comfort food.
Chinese cabbage salad with pear
This light and tasty salad combines crunchy Chinese cabbage, juicy pear, cucumber and a sweet-and-spicy dressing, finished with serundeng for a nice crunch.
