Apple

Apples

By: Marie Morud

Have you ever heard the old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”?  While this may not be a scientific fact, it does hold a lot of wisdom due to the fact that apples are a good source of many nutrients.  One of the most frequently consumed fruits, apples are a simple and delicious approach to reach the targeted “5 a day” servings of fruits and vegetables.

Apples contain a variety of healthy components including: insoluble fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folate, lutein, and vitamins A, C, and K.  These nutrients support everything from digestion, to healthy blood sugar and blood pressure, to metabolism, skin and eye health, immunity, to strong muscles, bones, and teeth.  So you can see why, with their vast health benefits, apples are such a popular pick!

Apples were likely first domesticated in Central Asia.  The ability these hardy trees have to adapt to diverse climates helped them to quickly spread across the world.  The only apples indigenous to North America are the wild sour crab.  Apples were brought to America by Puritans to the Massachusetts Bay Colony.  Since those first apples were grown from seed, many unique varieties were able to be created in a short period of time.  George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were apple enthusiasts, both maintaining orchards on their estates.  John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was a 19th-century horticulturist and missionary.  Chapman planted small orchards along his westward journey, trained farmers how to tend the trees, and sold young trees to fund his work. 

Iowa offers many pick-your-own orchards to enjoy with family and friends each fall.  In addition to supporting local producers, there are several varieties of apples grown in our state to try.  Across the US, there are around 2,500 varieties of apples being grown for their different flavors, textures, colors, and uses.  Apples can be grown farther north than many other fruits because they bloom later in the spring, minimizing damage from frost.

Whether you are picking your apples straight from the tree, at a local farmers market, or the grocery store, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind.  Look for apples that are firm, have good color for their variety, and have skin that is smooth and free of any bruises.  Handle your apples with care, as bumps and bruises can cause dark spots.  Freshly harvested apples may remain fresh for 3-6 months, while grocery store apples will likely only last up to 1 month.  Want to make sure your apples stay fresh as long as possible once you bring them home?   Store them in the crisper compartment of your refrigerator, as apples left out at room temperature will ripen 6-10 times faster than those kept at cooler temps.  Apples emit ethylene gas as they ripen, which can trigger fruits and vegetables to ripen faster.  So it is best to store your apples away from other fresh produce, especially bananas, avocados, broccoli, and peppers.

With the wide variety of apple cultivars available today, there is an apple for just about every use and taste bud out there!  Granny Smith and Jonathan are favorites of pie bakers, although Pink Lady and Honeycrisp also hold firm and retain their shape when baked.  If you prefer a sweet apple, you might try Golden Delicious, Braeburn, or Jonagold.  Those who enjoy a tart apple typically prefer Granny Smith, Empire, or Cortland varieties.  All-around popular eating apples are Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, and Braeburn.