Apples

Apples originated in the Tien Shan mountains of Kazakhstan thousands of years ago. The domestic apple tree (Malus domestica) is a member of the rose family of plants, which also includes pears, peaches, plums, and cherries.

In the United States, approximately 2,500 different types of apples are cultivated; however, for commercial food distribution, about 100 varieties are grown to meet the public’s needs. Consistency is maintained through "grafting," which involves taking a piece of one tree and attaching it to another, allowing them to grow together into a single tree of the same variety. This is how farmers preserve the recognizable apple varieties sold in grocery stores nationwide.

The top five countries that produce apples are China, the USA, Turkey, Poland, and India. The majority of apples in the USA are grown in Washington state and New York. Apples are the second most valuable fruit after oranges.

Apples are a fantastic crop because each time a seed is planted, it produces a unique variety of apple specific to its region and climate. The same apple seed planted in Massachusetts and Washington would grow into two different apple varieties, which explains how 7,500 different kinds have appeared worldwide since they originated in Eastern Europe thousands of years ago.

The journey of your apple from the tree to the pantry is fascinating. It begins when the apple tree is first planted or grafted. It takes three to five years for the tree to bear fruit, and it must undergo a specific number of chilling hours for tree hibernation. Additionally, the tree needs a certain number of days above 40 degrees Fahrenheit before new growth can start in spring. The harvest typically begins in August and ends at the end of October, depending on the variety.

From a holistic standpoint, apples are low in calories, free of fat, sodium, and cholesterol, and rich in fiber and antioxidants.  They contain potassium, folate, niacin, and vitamins A, B, C, E, and K.  Their energetics are that they are cold, dry, astringent, and heavy, and are generally Tridoshic and suitable for all three doshas; however, there are some considerations regarding their preparations.

Vata has cold and dry qualities, and cooked apples with warming spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves, are recommended. Eating raw apples can lead to gas, bloating, and constipation.

Pitta benefits from raw, sweet, and juicy apples because their cooling and astringent properties help reduce inflammation and soothe stomach acidity. Avoid sour apples.

Kapha is heavy and wet in nature, and the drying and astringent qualities of some raw apples counteract Kapha's nature. Tart green apples are best, and it is advisable to avoid sweet apples.

 A Few Fun Facts

•  The science of apple growing is called pomology.

•  It takes about 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider

•  25% of an apple’s volume is air, which is why it floats.

•  Pilgrims planted the first U.S. apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

•  The largest apple ever picked weighed in at 3 pounds 2 ounces.

•  Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) was a real person. Yes, he planted apple trees all over parts of the United States because, at the time, you could claim land by creating a homestead, and one way to do that was to plant 50 trees to start an orchard. Chapman planted these trees, and later he would sell “his” land to people.

• Apples are members of the rose family.

• Apple trees can live to be about 100 years old.

• In China, the word for apples is pronounced ‘ping’, which also means peace.

• The average apple has 10 seeds.

• Freshly pressed apple juice turns brown upon contact with air because of oxidation.

There are many varieties, but some of the most popular apples are:

Envy is a trademarked name of the Scilate apple variety. It is a cross between the New Zealand Royal Gala and Braeburn, and is found in the United Kingdom, France, and the United States.

Gala originated from New Zealand in the 1930s and is characterized by a sweet, mild flavor, a crisp yet not hard texture, and a striped or mottled appearance of orange or reddish hues.

Red Delicious originated in Madison County, Iowa, in 1872. Despite its name, it is related to the Golden Delicious, featuring a red exterior and a sweet taste.

Granny Smith originated in Australia in 1868 and is a hybrid of Malus sylvestris, the European wild apple, characterized by its crisp and tart taste.

Honeycrisp apples were developed at the University of Minnesota in the early 1990s and are characterized by their crunchy texture and juicy flavor, with a balanced sweet-tart profile.

Jonagold is a large apple variety, originating from a cross between the Jonathan and Golden Delicious apple varieties. It features a red blush and firm, crisp, juicy, creamy-yellow flesh with a sweet-tart flavor. 

Braeburn is a New Zealand variety known for its crisp, firm, and juicy texture, accompanied by a complex flavor that is both sweet and tart, often with hints of pear, cinnamon, and citrus.

Fuji apples are a sweet, crisp, juicy apple variety originating from Japan in the 1960s, known for their bright red or reddish-pink skin with yellow streaks and pale, creamy white flesh.

McIntosh is a cultivated variety, designated the national apple of Canada. The fruit has a red and green skin, a tart flavor, and tender white flesh, making it suitable for all purposes.

Golden Delicious originated in West Virginia and is a cousin of the Red Delicious, characterized by a semi-firm texture, golden color, and a sweet yet slightly tangy.