All about Apples
Apples Facts
Ah, the apple, one of the most cultivated fruits in the world, with more than 7,500 different types of apples available, is likely one of the most well-known fruits on the planet. While you probably won't find 7,500 different varieties of apples at your local grocery store, it’s a sure bet that most produce sections carry several different types of apples, from the green Granny Smith, to the Red Delicious and the Golden Delicious, and many more.
Whether it’s eating an apple as a snack, apple butter, apple jelly, apple pie, applesauce, apple crisp, apple juice or any other apple concoction one can create, apples are a great source of meeting the recommended dietary fruit servings per day.
So why the phrase, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”?
It’s really rather simple. Apples are chock full of vitamin C and antioxidants, and eating apples have been shown to help prevent several different types of cancer. High in fiber, bulky for the number of calories apples contain, apples may also help aid with weight loss and lowering cholesterol when eaten in place of higher fat and sugar content foods.
Because of these and other health benefits from eating apples, it’s clear to see how an apple a day might not be such a bad idea!
Not all apples are created equally. Some apples, such as the organish-red colored Braeburn apple, are juicy and sweet, while others, such as the green colored Granny Smith apple are tart and crisp.
Some apples, such as the McIntosh apple, are tart and perfect for baking in pies. The Rome Beauty apple is also ideal for baking and sautéing. For a sweeter apple snack, ready to be eaten or used for salads, the Red Delicious apple is likely the best known apple of all, with a dark, rich red skin and crisp white interior fruit.
While some apples are available for purchase year-round, others are only available when in season. The local supermarket produce manager or a small local grocer should be able to provide more information about what apples are available in your area and when, as well as providing nutritional information about different apple varieties.
The USDA guidelines for healthy eating recommends several servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and apples are a great way to meet those dietary requirements. A medium-sized apple, on cup of applesauce, or 6-8 ounces of apple juice would provide one tasty serving of fruit in your diet.
An Apple a Day!
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