Lithuania’s handheld snacking devices

Having sampled apples in many countries, I can happily report that the ones growing in Lithuania are top of the class for taste. Not surprisingly, perhaps, since its southern neighbour Poland is the world’s third-largest apple producer. Lithuanian apples are, perhaps, not the best in the world, or even Europe, but they can certainly fight their corner compared to apples from further afield. They are small and sweet, with a soft, mottled yellow-and-red skin, just about the right size for a quick snack. They are not as waxy and shiny as big-brand apple varieties that have conquered supermarkets around the world. Nor are they big and crunchy. And often they’ve taken a dent. But for sheer taste, they beat all their better-looking rivals. As a bonus Lithuanian “bag in box” apple juice is cheap and widely sold in markets and shops, concentrating the apple goodness in drinkable form. I would be surprised if Lithuanian apples would be sold elsewhere, so you’d have to treat yourself on location.