What is the embodied energy in an apple?

First lets define embodied energy.
Embodied energy is a term used to describe all the energy that goes into the life cycle of a product including manufacturing, transporting, and disposal.

Using California:
First, we consider that apples are sourced within California during the harvest season. Thus only minimal storage time is required, resulting in no yield loss. The energy consumed during storage and transport is 3.4 MJ/kg, resulting in .233 CO


Local apples that are sold out of season:
  The embodied energy is 6.8 MJ/kg of energy used, resulting in .431kg CO

Apples grown in New Zealand and shipped to California in season

Embodied Energy of an Apple

      Figure 1. Embodied Energy of an apple-in season. Units are MJ/kg

       Fig 2. Embodied Energy of an apple-out of season. Units are MJ/kg

     Fig 3. Embodied Energy of an imported apple-in season. Units-MJ/kg

Transport and storage of these imported, in season apples takes 4.6 MJ/kg of energy, resulting in .34 CO

Apples grown in New Zealand and shipped to California out of season-long term storage

     Fig 4. Embodied Energy of an imported apple-out of season-Units MJ/kg

8.23 MJ/kg of energy used during storage and transport, resulting in .56 kg CO

we assume California apple production has an energy profile of 1.2 MJ/kg. In reality, such energy usage is likely to vary between producers based on factors such as irrigation usage and harvesting techniques

Comparing the Energy Intensity of Scenarios:
MJoules required to Produce, Transport and Store 1 Kilogram of Saleable Apples

         Figure 5. Total Embodied Energy of an Apple

Energy Out:A small apple has about 53 calories and weighs 3.6 ounces.
3.6 ounces = .102kg
53 calories = .220MJ
Therefore the available energy from eating an apple is .220MJ/ .102kg = 2.15MJ/kg
However we only use about 20% of that energy to do actual work.
Energy Out = .43MJ/kg

Summary: Grow your own apples or you are wasting way more energy than you get back from the apple.
                If you care, grow an apple tree in your yard. If not, drink a beer.