| Apple Facts |
| By Scott Adams |
It may be that when Eve was tempted to bite into the "fruit of the gods" she may have been the first human to taste the apple. In any case, evidence shows that man has been enjoying apples for at least 750,000 years!
Colonists arriving in America found wild crab apples, but had also brought seeds from their homelands. History records that the first orchard was planted in Boston, MA in 1625 by an English preacher, William Blaxton. As the settlers moved west, they planted apple seeds along the way. The most famous sower of seeds was John Chapman, or Johnny Appleseed as he became known. The orchards started by the colonists thrived in the northern regions because of the perfect weather conditions.
A visit to an apple orchard in the fall is a treat for the whole family. The fragrance of ripe fruit, the crisp air, and the rich hues of the season make for an unforgettable experience. Apples are a healthy, refreshing, crunchy snack. They quench your thirst and their acid content makes them a natural mouth freshener. Apples contain vitamins and minerals, help promote good digestion, and "an apple a day" really does make you healthier!
Of the more than 8000 varieties grown in the world, more than 300 kinds are grown in America. At Adams Apple Orchard, we have 18 varieties for pickers to choose from during the fall season. The four most popular varieties for picking and shipping are McIntosh, Cortland, Empire, and Macoun. To bite into a fresh picked apple is a memorable experience. The juice is honey sweet and spicy tart at the same time and the flesh is fragrant and crisp.
Apples are a good source of fiber, high in Vitamin C and potassium, low in
sodium, and almost fat-free.
Apple seeds have been discovered in the Egyptian pyramids burial offerings.
The annual US apple crop exceeds 220,000,000 bushels!
"Johnny Appleseed" never owned a house and frequently went barefoot.
In 1908, the last apples from the original McIntosh tree were harvested.
A standard apple tree lives an average of 100 years.
A typical mature apple tree produces 600-700 pounds of fruit each season.
An apple is in the pome family - a fruit whose seeds are imbedded in the core
of the fruit.
The apple skin is what makes the apple smell so sweet.
A medium-size apple contains about 80 calories and 24 grams of
carbohydrates.
The best place to store apples is in the refrigerator!
It takes 6-7 medium-size apples to make a 9 or 10 inch pie.
Sliced or cut apples stay white longer if dropped in a bowl of water containing
2 tablespoons of lemon juice.