Apple (fruit)

An apple is an edible fruit which comes from the apple tree (Malus sylvestris). It is widely cultivated in temperate climates. Over 7,000 varieties are known, of which 40 or so are commercially important. The most popular United States variety is known as the Delicious. 15 - 20% of the world's crop is produced in the United States.[1] There are three main types of apples,[2] those used for:

* cooking
* dessert
* making cider

In popular culture, The Forbidden Fruit, which was offered by the serpent to Eve, who then offered the apple to Adam, causing the fall of mankind, is often portrayed as an apple.[3] The Bible does not specify the kind of fruit because in Old English and up to as late as the 17th century the word referred to fruit generally; that is any fruit or nut that was not a berry.[4]

## Heath Benefits and Risks[edit]

Apples have long been recognized as a healthy food. Although they contain sugar (fructose) they offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes which are health for humans and many animals. Because of the health benefits of apples, the saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" was coined. Unfortunately, modern apples are usually grown in the presence of pesticides. These pesticides find their way into this fruit to some extent, even when only the ground is sprayed. Perhaps of greater concern to many is the new genetically modified apple variety called Arctic.[5] This variety was developed and released as quietly as possible by Okanagan Specialty Fruits.[6] It is designed to better resist browning from oxygen exposure than regular apples in order to address the concerns of caterers and food services. Reportedly, apple consumption can help prevent heart disease in adult males.[7]

## Some Popular Varieties[edit]

Name  |  Ripens  |  Eating  |  Cooking  |  Apple Sauce  |  Apple Pie  |  Apple Juice  |  Apple

Butter

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Ambrosia  |  September, mid/late  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Good  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable
Arkansas Black  |  October, mid/late  |  Too Hard  |  Acceptable  |  Too Hard  |  |  Not the Best  |
Cameo  |  October early/mid  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Good  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable
Cortland  |  September, mid/late  |  Acceptable  |  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable
Empire  |  |  Good (tart)  |  Good  |  |  |  |
Fuji  |  October, mid/late  |  Acceptable  |  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable
Gala  |  August/September  |  Very Good  |  Acceptable  |  Very Good  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |
Ginger Gold  |  September  |  |  |  |  |  |
Golden Delicious  |  September, mid/late  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Good  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable
Granny Smith  |  October, mid/late  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  |  |  |  Acceptable
Honeycrisp  |  September  |  Very Good  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Very Good  |  Acceptable
Jonagold  |  September mid/late  |  Very Good  |  |  Very Good  |  |  |  Acceptable
Keepsake  |  September/early October  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  |  Acceptable  |  |
McIntosh  |  September  |  Acceptable  |  |  Good  |  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable
Melrose  |  October, early/mid  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Good  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable
Red Delicious  |  September, mid/late  |  Acceptable  |  |  Good  |  |  |  Acceptable
Suncrisp  |  October, mid/late  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable  |  Acceptable

[8][9][10]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ The New American Desk Encyclopedia, Penguin Group, 1989
2. ↑ Foods & Nutrition Encyclopedia
3. ↑ http://www.altalang.com/beyond-words/2009/02/09/the-forbiden-fruit-etymology-of-apple/
4. ↑ http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=apple/
5. ↑ https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/10_16101p.pdf
6. ↑ http://naturalsociety.com/genetically-modified-apples-newest-gmo-creation
7. ↑ (December 2010) DID YOU KNOW?. Healthy Food.
8. ↑ http://www.pickyourown.org/apples.htm
9. ↑ http://www.recipegoldmine.com/kitchart/kitchart71.html
10. ↑ http://www.orangepippin.com/apples