An Apple A Day… Keep the doctor away by eating apples!

 

 

Apples are the perfect winter fruit. They're hardy and they taste wonderful! Because they don't spoil easily, they can last all winter until the more delicate fruits come into season. But please, don't take apples for granted. They have some amazing qualities!

• The most popular variety in the United States is the Red Delicious. New varieties, however, are giving red delicious a run for their money! The five most popular apples in the United States are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji and Granny Smith.
• Americans eat approximately 20 pounds of fresh apples annually.
  2500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States and 7500 varieties of apples are grown throughout the world.
• A medium apples has about 80 calories.
• The science of apple growing is called pomology.
• 25 percent of an apple's volume is air. That's why they float.
• Apple varieties range in size from a little larger than a cherry to as large as a grapefruit.
• The largest apple picked weighed three pounds.
• There are apples that have an aftertaste of pears, citrus, cinnamon, cloves, coconut, strawberries, grapes and even pineapple!
• Apples ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they are refrigerated. For optimal storage, apples should be kept at 35-40 degrees with relative humidity of 80-90%.
• It takes energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple.

Published 12/28/07