It’s the beginning of fall and that means apple season! There are so many reasons to be happy about apple season. They’re crisp, refreshing and leave your mouth with a delightful clean taste. Here’s some things you might not know about this crunchy fruit.
Apple Facts
Did you know that there are thousands of varieties? They’ve been cultivated for at least 3,000 years and grown all over the world. Today the United States has emerged as the world’s top apple grower. The best seller is the “Delicious” variety. They range in magnificent colors from lemony yellow to bright green and crimson red. No wonder just a bowl of apples on the kitchen counter or table top adds a dramatic splash of color.
Popular Sayings
Sayings about apples have become part of our vocabulary.“You are the apple of my eye.”“Now that’s one bad apple.” “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” and the most famous being, “An apple a day helps keep the doctor a way.” Who knew that would be true!
Healthy Benefits
Over 85 studies have been conducted on the benefits of eating apples. Apples are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, asthma, and type-2 diabetes. Much of apple’s protective effects against heart disease and asthma are because of their high content of powerful flavonoids. Apples are loaded with fiber, 3 grams for a medium size apple. They also contain vitamins A and C.
Buying Tips
Buy firm, we’ll colored apples with a fresh, not musty, fragrance. The skins should be tight, smooth and free of bruises and punctures.
Choose the variety by how it’ll be used. All purpose apples, good for both eating and cooking include, Crispin, Criterion, Empire, Fuji, Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Jonagold, Pippen and Winesap, to name a few. Apples best for eating raw: Gala, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious. Varieties particularly good for baking: Cortland, Northern Spy, Rome Beauty and Winesap.
Farmer’s Market Tips
Now is a great time to visit your local farmers market. You’ll be amazed by all the fantastic varieties of apples that never make it to the supermarket. Many local farmers grow in the upwards of 70 varieties. From one week to the next the types can change. You’ll find sweet to tart and everything in between.
To celebrate the season I’ve included some of our favorite “Skinny” apple recipes:
