Shiny Apples, Hidden Poisons: What’s Lurking Under That Wax?

Ever picked up one of the shiny, glossy apples at the grocery store and thought, Wow, this is perfect!? You’re not alone. Grocery stores are filled with apples that shine so intensely that they look almost unreal.

That’s because they are unreal.

That beautiful glow isn’t a sign of freshness – it’s a layer of artificial wax. And under the wax? Chemicals, pesticides, and hidden threats that most people don’t even realize they’re consuming.

Let’s find out the truth behind waxed apples and how to protect yourself and your family.

Why Are Apples Waxed?

Apples produce a thin natural coating of wax to defend themselves against drying out and going bad. But once they’ve been picked, they undergo washing to remove bacteria, pesticides, and dirt. This process wipes away the natural wax too.

To keep them shining and offering extended shelf life, commercial apple suppliers wax them artificially prior to reaching supermarkets and markets.

Seems innocent, but it does more than give apples a good look. It locks in toxic chemicals, pesticides, and bacteria below, irretrievable with mere water.

What’s Under That Wax?

When you bite into a waxed apple, you may be consuming:

Petroleum wax:

Certain petroleum wax coatings consist of the same material that is used in car wax and shoe polish.

Fungicides & preservatives:

Fungicides like morpholine (forbidden in Europe) are incorporated into wax to prevent mold and rot, but are also harmful to humans.

Pesticide & chemical residue: 

When apples are sprayed with pesticides in orchards, residues become lodged under the wax coating and are harder to remove.

Bacteria & contaminants:

Wax traps dirt, bacteria, and environmental contaminants that might be present on the apple surface.

Would you eat food that’s been waxed with chemicals and preservatives? Not likely. But that’s exactly what you’re doing when you eat a highly waxed apple.

How to Know If Your Apple Is Waxed

All apples aren’t waxed with artificial wax, but far too many of them are. Here’s how you can tell:

• Rub the apple skin with your fingers – If it’s too greasy, slippery, or too smooth, then it’s probably waxed.
• Scratch with a fingernail or knife – If there is a white or flaky coating, then it’s wax.
• Drop the apple in warm water – If there is a thin coating on the surface or the apple is abnormally shiny underwater, then it’s been waxed.
• It is always a good idea to be aware of what you are eating so that you can make the right choices about your food.

How to Defrost Wax from Apples

If you bought waxed apples, don’t panic! You can remove the wax naturally:

✔ Warm water & vinegar soak – Soak apples in a bowl of warm water and vinegar (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) for 5–10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

✔ Baking soda scrub – Sprinkle baking soda onto a wet cloth or sponge and rub the apples lightly before washing.

✔ Lemon & salt rub – Cut a lemon, sprinkle with salt, and rub the apple skin before rinsing the apple under a running tap.

✔ Hot water dip – Dipping apples briefly in hot but not boiling water and wiping with a clean cloth to remove the wax coating.

While these steps reduce the wax coating, they don’t remove the pesticides or chemicals trapped beneath it. The solution? Buy fresh, unwaxed apples.

The Better Alternative: Fresh, Wax-Free Apples

Here at Orchards Box, we’re firm believers in letting apples reach us in their pure, organic state—fresh, not painted, not varnished with fake wax or loaded with poison chemicals and additives.

No chemicals in our paint – Our apples come naturally ripe and never doctored with imitation wax.

Fresh off the farm – We harvest the freshest picks, shipping straight to you – no cold chain storage, no middlemen.

Packed with natural taste & nutrition – No wax ensures our apples retain their natural crunch, juiciness, and flavor.

Most apples on supermarket shelves are stored in cold storage for months before they reach you. That is why they are waxed to present them with a bright look. We at Orchards Box, however, ship apples from the orchard to your door, and you get to enjoy genuine freshness, not a manufactured shine.

Final Bite: Choose Real Freshness Over Artificial Shine

The next time you reach for a shiny apples in the store, ask yourself: Is it fresh, or just a waxed trick?

With so many hidden chemicals lurking under that wax, it’s time to take a closer look at what we’re really eating. Choose apples that are grown and transported the natural way—no artificial wax, no poisonous chemicals, just pure, natural goodness. Buy fresh Apple Fruits Online from Orchards Box Now!

Because genuine apples don’t need a fake glaze.