Apples are great for a grab-and-go snack, but how much do you know about apples? Allow me to share with you some facts about apples that you may not know. All of the domestic apples we know are descendants of one wild apple tree found in Central Asia, called Malas sieversii. Birds and bears spread the seeds of this tree; 4,000 years ago, they made their way to Europe and beyond by the silk traders.

In the U.S., apples are the number one favorite fruit. The U.S. Apple Association reports 27,000 acres of apples grown across all 50 states. Producing 11.1 billion apples. We are ranked 3rd in the industry. There is no match for China, which produces 41 million metric tons of apples, making it the world’s top producer.

One thing about apples is their unique taste among the varieties. In the United States, Gala apples are the top-selling variety. Honeycrisp apples are sweet and crunchy. Granny Smiths are very tart. For baking, I always use Cortland apples.

It will take a standard apple tree four years to produce fruit, and it will continue to produce fruit for three decades. The average life of most trees is 50 years, although some may live to be 100 or longer. In 2020, an apple tree in the Pacific Northwest died at 104.

Apples are loaded with nutritional values. They are high in vitamin C and fiber and packed with antioxidants, such as quercetin, which help fight disease. Research has shown that eating apples can decrease your chances of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Apples also support weight loss and improve gut health.

Don’t get it twisted, the health benefits from apples can only be obtained by eating raw, unpeeled apples. So please don’t start baking apple pies or drinking apple cider. Speaking of apple pie, it was first made in England. The first recipe appeared in a manuscript titled The Forme of Curry in the 14th century. European settlers published two recipes in the 1976 cookbook titled American Cookery. By the mid 1900’s due to the war, the saying American as apple pie became popular.

Apples should be stored in the refrigerator in large quantities. Apples stored on the counter last about a week; those stored in the fridge can last up to two months. Be sure to place apples in their own bin in the refrigerator. Apples release a gas called ethylene, that would cause other produce to ripen and spoil quickly.

There may be something in the well-known saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” It won’t do any harm!!

Until the next time,

Peace, Love, and Blessings ❤️