The query of sourcing cashew apples, the fleshy fruit to which the cashew nut is connected, presents a novel problem. Not like the extensively obtainable cashew nut, the apple itself is extremely perishable and never sometimes distributed by mainstream industrial channels. Its delicate nature and brief shelf life make it tough to move and retailer. Due to this fact, discovering it requires particular information of its origin and availability.
The cashew apple, whereas usually missed in favor of its nut counterpart, boasts a wealthy dietary profile, containing excessive concentrations of Vitamin C and antioxidants. In areas the place cashew timber flourish, the apple is utilized in varied methods, from being eaten uncooked to being processed into juices, jams, and alcoholic drinks. Traditionally, the apple has been valued for its medicinal properties in conventional medication techniques. Understanding these localized makes use of highlights the significance of regional accessibility.
Due to this fact, finding these fruits necessitates exploring choices past standard grocery shops. Contemplate these avenues for acquisition: direct buy from cashew farms in cashew-growing areas, specialised fruit importers, or on-line retailers specializing in unique or tropical fruits. Farmers’ markets and ethnic grocery shops, significantly these specializing in South American, African, or Asian produce, are additionally potential sources. Moreover, researching native specialty meals distributors may unveil potentialities for buying this much less widespread fruit.
1. Geographic location
Geographic location is a major determinant within the accessibility of cashew apples. The fruit’s excessive perishability necessitates speedy consumption or processing, thereby limiting its distribution vary. Areas the place cashew timber are cultivated extensively supply probably the most direct entry. For instance, in areas of Brazil, India, and components of Africa, the place cashew cultivation thrives, native markets and farms steadily promote the fruit throughout the harvest season. In distinction, in areas far faraway from these rising areas, the fruit is both fully unavailable or accessible solely by specialised importers, if in any respect.
The impression of geographic location extends past easy proximity to farms. Infrastructure additionally performs a vital function. Areas with well-developed transportation networks can doubtlessly distribute the fruit to close by city facilities extra successfully, even when they aren’t major cashew-growing areas themselves. Nonetheless, even with ample infrastructure, the problem of preserving freshness throughout transit stays important. This explains why cashew apples are not often present in standard supermarkets in North America or Europe, regardless of these areas’ strong distribution techniques. The price and complexity of preserving and delivery such a fragile fruit over lengthy distances usually outweigh the potential revenue.
In abstract, understanding the interaction between geographic location and the supply of cashew apples is crucial for efficient sourcing. Entry is intrinsically linked to proximity to cashew-growing areas and the presence of appropriate infrastructure for localized distribution. Whereas world commerce networks can facilitate restricted availability in distant markets, the challenges associated to perishability and value considerably constrain widespread distribution, making it a localized commodity for probably the most half.
2. Cashew farms
Cashew farms characterize probably the most direct supply for buying cashew apples, bypassing conventional retail channels. Their function is pivotal within the provide chain, although accessibility is determined by components akin to location, seasonality, and the farm’s gross sales practices.
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Direct Gross sales and Farm Visits
Many cashew farms, significantly smaller operations in cashew-growing areas, supply direct gross sales to shoppers throughout the harvest season. This may increasingly contain farm visits, the place prospects should buy contemporary cashew apples instantly. This strategy ensures the freshest product however is geographically restricted to those that can journey to the farm. Instance: Farms in coastal Brazil usually permit vacationers to buy cashew apples instantly throughout the late summer time harvest.
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Seasonal Availability
Cashew apples are extremely seasonal, sometimes obtainable solely throughout the cashew harvest. Cashew farms solely supply cashew apples throughout this restricted window. Customers should align their buying efforts with the farm’s harvest schedule. Lacking the harvest season means ready till the next yr. Instance: In India, cashew apples are typically obtainable from March to Could, relying on the area and climate patterns.
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Processing and By-products
Some cashew farms course of cashew apples into juice, jams, or different merchandise to increase their usability past the contemporary fruit’s brief shelf life. These processed objects could also be obtainable for buy year-round, even when contemporary apples will not be in season. Instance: A number of farms in Mozambique produce cashew apple juice and promote it regionally and internationally.
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Scale of Operation and Distribution
The size of a cashew farm’s operation influences its distribution capabilities. Bigger farms may need established distribution networks that permit them to promote cashew apples to wider markets, doubtlessly by native retailers or specialty meals shops. Smaller farms are sometimes restricted to direct gross sales. Instance: A big cashew plantation in Vietnam may provide cashew apples to regional markets, whereas a smaller family-run farm solely sells to native prospects.
In conclusion, whereas cashew farms supply probably the most direct path to acquiring cashew apples, their accessibility is ruled by geographical constraints, seasonal availability, and the farm’s scale and gross sales practices. Understanding these components is essential for these looking for to accumulate this perishable fruit.
3. Specialty importers
Specialty importers function a vital, albeit usually restricted, channel for accessing cashew apples exterior of cashew-growing areas. These companies give attention to sourcing and distributing unique and perishable produce that’s not sometimes obtainable by mainstream grocery chains. Their function is pivotal in bridging the geographical hole between cashew farms and shoppers in distant markets.
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Area of interest Market Focus
Specialty importers cater to a distinct segment market demand for distinctive and uncommon fruits, together with cashew apples. Their operations are predicated on figuring out and fulfilling particular shopper preferences for unique produce. This centered strategy permits them to justify the upper prices and logistical challenges related to importing extremely perishable objects. For instance, an importer specializing in South American fruits might often supply cashew apples from Brazil to produce high-end eating places or specialty meals shops in main metropolitan areas.
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Logistical Experience and Chilly Chain Administration
The profitable importation of cashew apples hinges on strong logistical experience and stringent chilly chain administration. As a result of fruit’s excessive perishability, importers should make use of specialised packaging, fast transportation, and exact temperature management all through the provision chain. Any disruption or lapse in these processes can result in spoilage and monetary losses. For example, an importer might use air freight mixed with refrigerated trucking to make sure cashew apples attain their vacation spot inside just a few days of harvest.
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Restricted Availability and Excessive Value
The challenges related to importing cashew apples translate to restricted availability and elevated costs for shoppers. The fruit’s brief shelf life, mixed with transportation prices and dealing with charges, considerably will increase its retail worth. This usually restricts cashew apple purchases to prosperous shoppers or specialised culinary institutions prepared to pay a premium. Consequently, cashew apples obtained by specialty importers are unlikely to be a daily grocery merchandise for the common shopper.
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Regulatory Compliance and Phytosanitary Necessities
Specialty importers should navigate a fancy internet of laws and phytosanitary necessities to make sure compliance with import legal guidelines. These laws are designed to stop the introduction of pests and illnesses that might hurt home agriculture. Compliance usually includes acquiring permits, present process inspections, and offering documentation associated to the fruit’s origin and dealing with. Failure to fulfill these necessities may end up in cargo rejection and monetary penalties. An importer, as an example, should be sure that cashew apples meet the USDA’s phytosanitary requirements earlier than they are often bought in the US.
In conclusion, specialty importers present a possible avenue for sourcing cashew apples in areas the place they aren’t regionally grown. Nonetheless, the restricted availability, excessive price, and sophisticated logistical and regulatory necessities related to importing this perishable fruit make it a distinct segment product primarily accessible to particular shoppers and companies. The supply query is due to this fact intricately tied to the capability and willingness of those importers to navigate the challenges inherent within the cashew apple commerce.
4. Farmers’ markets
Farmers’ markets, whereas not a assured supply, current a viable, albeit restricted, avenue for procuring cashew apples, significantly in areas the place cashew cultivation is prevalent or the place there exists a major neighborhood with ties to cashew-growing areas. These markets supply a direct connection to native growers and specialty distributors, doubtlessly rising the probabilities of discovering this comparatively uncommon fruit.
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Direct Grower Connections
Farmers’ markets prioritize direct gross sales from growers to shoppers, eliminating middleman distribution channels. In areas with cashew manufacturing, this direct connection considerably will increase the chance of encountering cashew apples, particularly throughout harvest seasons. The chance to converse instantly with the farmer supplies precious data concerning the fruit’s origin, cultivation practices, and optimum consumption strategies. Instance: In coastal areas of Brazil, cashew farmers might instantly supply their cashew apples at native farmers’ markets alongside different seasonal produce.
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Specialty Vendor Presence
Sure farmers’ markets entice specialty distributors who curate distinctive and unique produce choices. These distributors usually set up relationships with smaller-scale farms or importers, doubtlessly together with cashew apples of their choice. Such distributors cater to discerning shoppers looking for novel culinary experiences or particular ethnic elements. Instance: A vendor specializing in tropical fruits at a Miami farmers’ market may often supply cashew apples from South American farms or importers.
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Seasonal Availability and Locality
Farmers’ markets function on a seasonal foundation, reflecting the agricultural cycles of the encompassing area. The supply of cashew apples at these markets is thus restricted to the cashew harvest season. Moreover, the fruits are probably to be present in markets situated inside or close to cashew-growing areas. Attending farmers’ markets throughout the suitable season in related geographical areas considerably enhances the prospect of finding the fruit. Instance: Farmers’ markets in Goa, India, usually tend to function cashew apples throughout the spring harvest months.
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Restricted Quantity and Perishability Considerations
The inherent perishability of cashew apples presents challenges for his or her presence at farmers’ markets. Growers or distributors could also be hesitant to supply them as a result of threat of spoilage and related monetary losses. Even when obtainable, the amount is prone to be restricted, requiring shoppers to behave rapidly upon discovery. One of the best observe is to go to the market early within the day to maximise the probabilities of securing the fruit. Instance: A farmer may carry solely a small batch of cashew apples to a market, promoting them out throughout the first few hours.
Whereas farmers’ markets supply a possible avenue for locating cashew apples, their success is determined by a confluence of things: geographical location, seasonal timing, the presence of direct growers or specialty distributors, and an understanding of the fruit’s perishability. This feature necessitates energetic exploration and a level of luck, however can present entry to a contemporary, regionally sourced product not available by standard retail channels. This aligns with the rising shopper curiosity in direct-from-farm produce and distinctive culinary experiences.
5. Ethnic grocers
The chance of discovering cashew apples considerably will increase inside sure ethnic grocers, significantly these specializing in produce from areas the place cashew cultivation is prevalent. These shops usually cater to communities originating from South America, Africa, or Asia, the place the cashew apple is a extra widespread meals merchandise. The demand from these communities motivates the grocers to supply much less widespread fruits, together with the extremely perishable cashew apple, by specialised import channels. This cause-and-effect relationship highlights the ethnic grocer’s pivotal function as a possible level of entry.
The presence of cashew apples in ethnic grocers will not be assured however is determined by a number of components, together with the dimensions of the shop, the demand from its clientele, and the grocery store’s current import networks. For instance, Brazilian grocers in city facilities with giant Brazilian populations might often inventory cashew apples throughout particular seasons, sourcing them instantly from Brazil or by importers specializing in South American produce. Equally, Indian grocers, significantly these specializing in Goan delicacies, might import cashew apples or cashew apple merchandise throughout the cashew harvest season in India. The success of finding cashew apples hinges on figuring out grocers with particular cultural ties to areas the place the fruit is consumed.
Finally, understanding the connection between ethnic grocers and the supply of cashew apples supplies a focused technique for people looking for this fruit. Reasonably than counting on mainstream supermarkets with restricted choices of unique produce, specializing in ethnic grocers who cater to communities with cashew apple consumption habits improves the probabilities of profitable acquisition. The sensible significance lies in recognizing that cultural meals preferences usually drive the supply of area of interest agricultural merchandise in particular retail environments.
6. On-line retailers
The arrival of on-line retailers has expanded the potential avenues for sourcing area of interest and unique produce, together with cashew apples. Whereas standard brick-and-mortar shops not often inventory this perishable fruit, on-line platforms supply a broader attain, connecting shoppers with specialised distributors and importers throughout geographical boundaries. Nonetheless, buying cashew apples on-line presents distinctive issues associated to freshness, delivery logistics, and provider reliability.
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Specialty Meals Marketplaces
On-line marketplaces specializing in gourmand and unique meals function a major channel for finding cashew apples. These platforms usually host impartial distributors and importers who can supply and ship the fruit on to shoppers. Examples embody on-line retailers devoted to tropical fruits or South American/Asian delicacies. The supply of cashew apples on these platforms is topic to seasonal harvests and import laws. The patron advantages from doubtlessly wider choice in comparison with native shops, however should rigorously consider the seller’s delivery practices and fame.
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Direct-from-Farm Gross sales
Some cashew farms in areas like Brazil or India have established on-line storefronts, enabling direct gross sales to worldwide prospects. This mannequin bypasses conventional distribution channels, doubtlessly providing brisker produce and decrease costs. Nonetheless, shoppers should account for longer delivery instances and potential customs delays. The reliability of direct-from-farm gross sales hinges on the farm’s capacity to deal with worldwide logistics and guarantee correct packaging to keep up fruit high quality throughout transit. Third-party evaluations and certifications turn into crucial analysis instruments.
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Subscription Containers
Subscription field providers specializing in unique fruits or worldwide delicacies often embody cashew apples as a part of their curated choices. These providers supply comfort and the component of shock, however shoppers have restricted management over the precise contents of every field. The inclusion of cashew apples depends on seasonal availability and the provider’s sourcing partnerships. Whereas handy, subscription bins is probably not probably the most dependable choice for constantly acquiring cashew apples.
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Challenges of Perishability and Transport
The intense perishability of cashew apples poses important challenges for on-line retailers. Sustaining fruit high quality throughout delivery requires specialised packaging, fast supply providers, and exact temperature management. These logistical complexities usually translate to increased delivery prices and restricted supply areas. Customers should rigorously assess the retailer’s delivery insurance policies and ensures to mitigate the chance of receiving spoiled or broken fruit. A retailer’s dedication to chilly chain logistics is a key indicator of reliability.
In conclusion, on-line retailers present a possible, although not all the time simple, path to buying cashew apples. Whereas increasing entry past geographically restricted areas, the web buy necessitates cautious consideration of vendor fame, delivery logistics, and the inherent challenges of dealing with a extremely perishable product. Weighing the comfort of on-line purchasing towards the potential dangers related to fruit high quality and supply reliability is essential when making an attempt to buy cashew apples by these channels.
7. Seasonality
The connection between seasonality and the supply of cashew apples is direct and profound. The fruit’s inherent perishability restricts its availability to particular harvest home windows inside cashew-growing areas. This temporal constraint basically dictates the place one can receive the fruit, limiting choices to durations coinciding with cashew manufacturing cycles. Trying to buy cashew apples exterior of those durations considerably reduces the chance of success, whatever the retail channel explored. This cause-and-effect relationship is the defining constraint on distribution.
The significance of understanding seasonality stems from its direct impression on sourcing methods. In the course of the cashew harvest, direct purchases from farms in areas like Brazil, India, or components of Africa turn into viable choices. Native farmers’ markets and ethnic grocers specializing in produce from these areas are additionally extra prone to carry the fruit. For instance, in Goa, India, cashew apples are sometimes obtainable from March to Could. Conversely, making an attempt to supply the fruit in December, exterior of this window, will probably show fruitless, requiring reliance on processed cashew apple merchandise like juice or jam. This highlights how the temporal facet limits and defines geographical entry.
In abstract, seasonality is a non-negotiable issue within the pursuit of cashew apples. Recognizing and respecting the harvest cycles inside cashew-growing areas is crucial for knowledgeable sourcing. Whereas processed merchandise might supply year-round availability, entry to the contemporary fruit is strictly time-dependent, necessitating consciousness of regional harvest schedules and a willingness to regulate sourcing methods accordingly. The challenges associated to perishability compound this dependence, emphasizing the necessity for well timed motion when the fruit is in season and available.
8. Meals distributors
Meals distributors, whereas not the obvious supply, characterize a possible, but complicated, channel for accessing cashew apples. Their function within the broader meals provide chain positions them as intermediaries between producers and retailers, making them a attainable supply, significantly for companies looking for bigger portions of the fruit.
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Specialised Produce Distributors
Sure meals distributors concentrate on sourcing and supplying unique or tropical produce. These distributors usually set up relationships with worldwide growers and importers, doubtlessly together with cashew apples inside their product portfolio. Their focus lies in fulfilling the calls for of area of interest markets, akin to high-end eating places, specialty grocery shops, or meals processing firms. Contacting such distributors and inquiring about their availability of cashew apples is usually a viable, though doubtlessly expensive, strategy.
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Regional Distribution Networks
In areas the place cashew cultivation is prevalent, native meals distributors might deal with the distribution of cashew apples, significantly to close by markets and retailers. These distributors sometimes function inside a restricted geographical space and cater to native demand. Figuring out and contacting distributors working inside cashew-growing areas can present entry to the fruit, albeit with the logistical challenges of transportation and potential perishability points to handle.
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Minimal Order Portions and Enterprise-to-Enterprise Transactions
Meals distributors primarily function on a business-to-business mannequin, sometimes requiring minimal order portions that could be impractical for particular person shoppers. Their focus is on supplying retailers, eating places, and different industrial entities relatively than particular person buyers. Due to this fact, accessing cashew apples by meals distributors is usually extra possible for companies looking for bigger volumes for processing or resale. The person shopper would probably discover different channels extra accessible and cost-effective.
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Challenges of Perishability and Logistics
The extremely perishable nature of cashew apples presents important challenges for meals distributors. Sustaining fruit high quality throughout storage and transportation requires specialised dealing with, temperature management, and fast supply. Distributors should possess the infrastructure and logistical experience to handle these complexities successfully. The excessive threat of spoilage can deter some distributors from dealing with cashew apples, limiting their availability as a supply for the fruit.
In conclusion, whereas meals distributors supply a possible avenue for sourcing cashew apples, their business-to-business focus, minimal order necessities, and the logistical challenges related to the fruit’s perishability make them a much less accessible choice for particular person shoppers. Nonetheless, for companies looking for bigger portions, exploring specialised produce distributors or regional networks in cashew-growing areas might show fruitful, offered the logistical hurdles and value implications are rigorously thought of. The accessibility query shifts from a consumer-level challenge to a enterprise procurement problem.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions Concerning Cashew Apple Acquisition
The next questions and solutions deal with widespread inquiries and misconceptions surrounding the procurement of cashew apples, offering clear and concise data to assist within the seek for this distinctive fruit.
Query 1: What’s the major purpose cashew apples will not be extensively obtainable in supermarkets?
The first purpose lies within the fruit’s excessive perishability. Cashew apples degrade quickly after harvest, making long-distance transportation and storage economically impractical for mainstream retailers.
Query 2: Are cashew apples obtainable year-round, or are they seasonal?
Cashew apples are strictly seasonal, sometimes obtainable solely throughout the cashew harvest interval in cashew-growing areas. The particular harvest time varies relying on the geographic location.
Query 3: Which geographic areas are probably to supply contemporary cashew apples?
Areas with important cashew cultivation, akin to components of Brazil, India, and Africa, supply the very best chance of discovering contemporary cashew apples, significantly in native markets and farms.
Query 4: Is it attainable to buy cashew apples on-line, and what are the related dangers?
Buying cashew apples on-line is feasible by specialty meals retailers or direct-from-farm distributors. Nonetheless, the dangers embody potential spoilage throughout delivery, increased prices, and the necessity to confirm the seller’s reliability and delivery practices.
Query 5: What kinds of shops, apart from supermarkets, needs to be thought of when trying to find cashew apples?
Potential shops embody farmers’ markets (in cashew-growing areas), ethnic grocers specializing in South American, African, or Asian produce, and specialised fruit importers.
Query 6: Are there any processed cashew apple merchandise that provide a extra available different to the contemporary fruit?
Sure, processed cashew apple merchandise akin to juice, jam, and alcoholic drinks are extra extensively obtainable and supply a shelf-stable different to the extremely perishable contemporary fruit.
These steadily requested questions serve to make clear the challenges and potential avenues concerned in sourcing cashew apples, emphasizing the significance of seasonality, geographic location, and vendor choice.
The next part will discover the dietary and financial elements of the cashew apple in additional element.
Efficient Methods for Cashew Apple Sourcing
The next tips present actionable methods for these looking for to accumulate cashew apples, acknowledging the inherent difficulties related to its restricted availability.
Tip 1: Prioritize Proximity to Rising Areas: Residence or journey to cashew-growing areas considerably enhances entry. Direct interplay with native farms or markets turns into a viable choice throughout harvest seasons. Geographic location is a major determinant.
Tip 2: Align Efforts with Harvest Season: Data of the cashew harvest schedule in particular areas is crucial. This data dictates when the fruit is accessible and guides sourcing efforts accordingly. Disregarding seasonality renders most methods ineffective.
Tip 3: Domesticate Relationships with Specialty Distributors: Establishing connections with fruit importers, ethnic grocers, or farmers’ market distributors specializing in unique produce can present a recurring supply. This requires proactive communication and relationship constructing.
Tip 4: Discover Direct-from-Farm Choices On-line: Examine on-line platforms that facilitate direct gross sales from cashew farms, significantly these situated in Brazil or India. Train warning and confirm the farm’s delivery capabilities and fame. Mitigate the chance of spoilage throughout transit.
Tip 5: Contemplate Processed Options: Acknowledge the restricted availability of contemporary cashew apples and think about buying processed merchandise like juice, jam, or chutney. These present year-round entry to the fruit’s taste profile, albeit in a modified type.
Tip 6: Confirm Transport and Dealing with Procedures: When buying on-line, scrutinize the seller’s delivery and dealing with protocols. Guarantee correct packaging and fast supply to attenuate the chance of spoilage. Request detailed data concerning temperature management throughout transit.
Tip 7: Community with Culinary Professionals: Cooks specializing in cuisines from cashew-growing areas might possess established sourcing channels for cashew apples. Inquire about their suppliers and potential entry factors.
These methods acknowledge the complexities of procuring cashew apples, emphasizing the significance of geographic consciousness, seasonal timing, and proactive sourcing efforts. The perishable nature of the fruit necessitates a strategic and knowledgeable strategy.
The next part will present a complete conclusion, summarizing the important thing takeaways and emphasizing the inherent limitations related to buying this distinctive fruit.
Conclusion
The previous exploration demonstrates that buying a cashew apple presents appreciable challenges. The inquiry, “the place can I purchase a cashew apple,” reveals a panorama of restricted availability dictated by perishability, seasonality, and geographic constraints. Direct entry to cashew farms, specialised importers, and area of interest retail channels supply potential avenues, but constant acquisition stays tough for particular person shoppers exterior of cashew-growing areas. Processed merchandise supply a extra readily accessible, although altered, illustration of the fruit’s distinctive taste profile.
Whereas the pursuit of contemporary cashew apples might show arduous, understanding the components governing its distribution empowers knowledgeable decision-making. Potential patrons should acknowledge the inherent limitations, prioritize strategic sourcing strategies, and mood expectations accordingly. Future developments in preservation and transportation applied sciences might broaden availability, however for the current, buying this fruit stays a pursuit demanding each information and perseverance. Continued analysis into regional suppliers and progressive supply strategies is inspired for these decided to expertise the contemporary cashew apple firsthand.
