Apple - Keeps the doctor away

Scientific Synonym - Rosaceae

Native to - Central Asia

Rich Source of - Carbohydrate, Sugar, Dietary Fiber

Tastes like - Sweet

Propagation -apples are ordinarily propagated asexually by grafting or as seedlings

Interesting Facts -

• At least 55 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide. China produced about 35% of this total.The United States is the second leading producer, with more than 7.5% of the world production. Turkey, France, Italy, and Iran are also among the leading apple exporters.
• Compared to many other fruits and vegetables, apples contain relatively low amounts of Vitamin C as well as several other antioxidant compounds.
• The seeds are mildly poisonous, containing a small amount of amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside; usually not enough to be dangerous to humans, but it can deter birds.
• Apples are eaten with honey at the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah to symbolize a sweet new year
• In the UK, a toffee apple is a traditional confection made by coating an apple in hot toffee and allowing it to cool. Similar treats in the US are candy apples (coated in a hard shell of crystallised sugar syrup), and caramel apples, coated with cooled caramel.
• For home storage, most varieties of apple can be stored for approximately two weeks, when kept at the coolest part of the refrigerator (i.e. below 5°C).
• Apples are self-incompatible; they must cross-pollinate to develop fruit.
• Tale that originated from Switzerland of William Tell when an Apple was placed on the head of his son and Tell was ordered to split the apple with his arrow or lose his son
• The story goes that in the Garden of Eden, Adam ate a piece of the forbidden fruit that got stuck in his throat, and thus the term Adam?s Apple.

Sought by Birds - Common Crow, hummingbird, Red-headed woodpecker etc

Availability - autumn

Health Benefits -

• Green Apples - Good for strong bones and teeth, aids in vision, anti cancer properties.
• Yellow Apples - Good for heart and eyes, immune system, reduce risk of some cancers.
• Red Apples - Good for heart, Memory function, lower risk of some cancers and to maintain urinary tract health.
• The proverb "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," addressing the health effects of the fruit, dates from 19th century Wales.
• Research suggests that apples may reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer.
• The fiber content, while less than in most other fruits, helps regulate bowel movements and may thus reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• They may also help with heart disease,weight loss, and controlling cholesterol,as they do not have any cholesterol, have fiber, which reduces cholesterol by preventing reabsorption, and are bulky for their caloric content like most fruits and vegetables.