Colour and size of apple are most important criteria among other quality parameters estimated by consumer. Most apples of Polish marked were taken after storage for determination of fruit quality based on L*a*b* system describing colour with hue, saturation and brightness (value) parameters. The measurements were performed on each apple at six areas around the fruit. The brightness index L* shown intensity of colour and most of apples were taken range from 30 to 70 points. The apples of James Grieve cultivar only are bright at continuously level around the fruit. The saturation of red colour, presented as the index of chromaticity a*, range from 0 to 40 points for most apples cultivars. Only for Empire, Cortland, Delikates, and Freedom apples slightly hue of green colour was observed. Spartan apples are saturated with similar intensity of red colour passing through the purple around the fruit. For mature apples the green colour was not observed. The values of index b* for James Grieve apples are close to 60 points that proves almost pure yellow colour of fruit skin. Determination of fruit quality based on L*a*b* system describing colour of apples should be useful for marketing and allows to check the consumer preferences made easy the decision of proper cultivar.