Apples are delicious, versatile, and one of the most consumed fruits in the world. They can be eaten by themselves as a healthy snack or incorporated into tasty recipes, such as those listed in this article. There is also a huge variety of apples that differ in taste, color, and size. To help us learn more about this amazing fruit, here are 10 interesting facts about apples:
APPLES MAKE UP HALF OF THE WORLD’S DECIDUOUS FRUIT TREE PRODUCTION
Deciduous trees are plants that shed fruit or leaves when they reach maturity. Half of all deciduous fruit trees used for fruit production are apple trees. The countries that produce most of these trees are China, the United States, Poland, Italy, and Turkey.
OVER 2,500 VARIETIES OF APPLES ARE GROWN IN THE UNITED STATES
Even though the crab apple is the only variety native to North America, thousands of types of apples are grown in the United States. Red Delicious, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, McIntosh, Rome, Granny Smith, and Gala are a few of the most popular varieties grown in the U.S.
APPLES CONTAIN MALIC ACID
Apple juice, apple flesh, and apple cider vinegar all have a high malic acid content. This beneficial compound is helpful in treating conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and gallstones.
APPLE PIE IS NOT AMERICAN
Everyone knows that apple pie is often associated with being American, but this delicious dessert is actually European. The very first recipe for apple pie came from England hundreds of years ago. In addition, the vast majority of apple varieties are not even native to North America.
APPLES ARE HIGH IN FIBER
One average sized apple contains almost twice the amount of fiber as one serving of a fiber supplement. It also tastes a lot better, too. Why bother with supplements when you can eat a delicious apple?
A BUSHEL OF APPLES WEIGHS ABOUT 42 POUNDS
Have you ever wondered how heavy a bushel of apples really is? Approximately 42 pounds of apples are found in a bushel. All those apples can make about 21 pies, 3 gallons of cider, and 20 quarts of applesauce.
APPLES ARE 25% AIR
Apples float in water because a whopping 25% of their volume is actually air. Apples are less dense than water, making them the perfect fruit for apple bobbing.
APPLE CONSUMPTION MAY REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER
Some studies have shown that consuming apples regularly may reduce your risk of cancer. This healthy fruit contains pectin, quercetin, procyanidins, and Vitamin C, which are all beneficial in the prevention of disease and cancer.
APPLE TREES TAKE YEARS TO PRODUCE FRUIT
Depending on the planting system used, a full sized apple tree can reach full production in as little as four years or as long as 10 years. Apple trees mature very slowly, but factors such as sunlight exposure and the type of fertilizer used can also impact the growth of these trees. A tree that receives plenty of sunshine, water, and good nutrition will grow at a faster rate than a deprived tree.
It’s easy to see why apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world! They are nutritious, easy to eat, and flavorful. We have over 20 varieties of apples here at Parlee Farms that are available to pick in September and October. It is fun to try as many of our varieties as possible!
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