Apples
The apple, a globe or heart shaped fruit that got Eve in a bunch of trouble comes from a small deciduous tree and is a member of the Rose family, really roses. The tree originated in Central Asia somewhere between the Caspian and Black Seas. While archeologists have found evidence of humans enjoying their “apple a day” as far back as 6500 BC; Alexander the Great is credited with finding the dwarfed apple trees and introducing it to Europe.
Apple seeds were brought to North America in the early 1600s by the first European settlers. It is believed that the first apple orchard in North America was located near Boston in 1625. And so began America's love affair with all things apple: apple pie, caramel apples, apple sauce, apple butter, apple cider, apple dumplings, the list goes on.
Currently there are 7500 known apple varieties and apples are grown on every continent and in nearly every country around the world. China produces about 35% of the worlds apple supply followed by the US, Turkey, Poland, France, Italy and Iran. In the US, Washington State is the leader in apple production, followed by New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania and California.
The top 10 varieties grown in the U.S
- Red Delicious
- Golden Delicious
- Gala
- Fuji
- Granny Smith
- McIntosh
- Rome
- Idared
- Jonathan
- Empire
Apple Nutritional Information
Apple Usage Chart
Apple Recipes
Interesting Facts About Apples
Where to Go Apple Picking
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