Apples

Apples – Introduction :

Everybody loves apples, no doubt about it! Possibly the earliest tree that humans
cultivated, the apple tree has been grown for thousands of years in Asia and
Europe and was brought to North America by European colonists in the 17th century.
There are actually more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range
of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various tastes and
uses, including cooking, eating raw and cider production. Commercially popular
apple cultivars are soft but crisp. Other desirable qualities in modern commercial
apple breeding are a colorful skin, ease of shipping, lengthy storage ability, high
yields, disease resistance and developed flavor. Plus, modern apples are generally
sweeter than older cultivars, as popular tastes in apples have varied over time.
All parts of the fruit, including the skin, except for the seeds, are suitable for
human consumption. Besides, apples can be consumed various ways: juice, raw in
salads, baked in pies and cooked into sauces.

Red Apples:

Apples – Fuji Apples

Fuji apples are medium to large in size, and have a thick skin that is light red
with a yellow blush, and is oftentimes lined with red vertical stripes. The Fuji’s
interior creamy white flesh is dense, juicy, and crisp. Low in acid, the flavor is
mild yet very sweet with hints of both honey and citrus. These apples contain
Vitamins A and C, as well trace amounts of folate and potassium. They are also a
good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which has been shown to help
prevent heart disease and promote healthy digestion. Besides, a medium-sized Fuji
apple contains about 80 calories and is high in both water and sugar. The thick
skin and dense flesh of the Fuji apple holds up extremely well when cooked, and
that is why these apples can be roasted, baked, sauteed and boiled down into sauce.
You can add slices of Fuji apples atop pizza or layer them inside a quiche, or chop
and slow cook chunks of Fuji apple to make jams and soups.

Apples – Gala Apples

One Gala apple could be just the perfect treat for ya ! When you take into
consideration its beautifully yellow-striped red skin along with its delightfully
crisp texture and sweet flavor, that’s exactly what you get – A perfect treat !
Besides, one medium Gala apple can provide you with a nice amount of your daily
needs of vitamins A and C, and Iron. The delicate flavor and texture of this apple
shines in fresh preparations. It is perfect for use in fruit, green and chopped
salads. You can, for instance, add diced gala to fruit salsas, or slice and add it
to burgers and paninis . Besides, Gala's sweet flavor becomes milder when cooked
making it perfect in baked preparations when paired with stronger flavored apples
such a Granny Smith, Arkansas Black, Pippin and Mutsu.

Apples – Red Delicious Apples

Red Delicious remains one of the most popular apple cultivars in the United States
due to many factors like, for instance, its captivating shape which pretty much
resembles a heart, its bright red skin, crunchy texture , and last but not least,
its mildly sweet flavor, which makes it stand out as a special ingredient in
salads. It is worth mentioning that Red Delicious is a rich source of vitamins B, C
and E. Besides, these apples are best used in fresh preparations, as their flesh
does not hold up well when cooked. You can add them to green or fruit salads, or
use them as an edible garnish on sandwiches, quesadillas and burgers. Since their
flesh breaks down easily, these apples can be successfully slow cooked and pureed
to make sauces and for soups.

Apples – Honeycrisp

The name alone is enough to make you drool! Honeycrisp apples, which were first
introduced to market in 1991, are one of the sweetest varieties of apples available
today. They are amazingly crisp and juicy and have a beautifully bright-red skin
specked with pale green. They are indeed an excellent source of fiber, and can
serve as an amazing addition in many recipes like salads, pies, sauces, and baked
goods. In fact, these apples maintain their sweet flavor even when cooked. You can
remove the skin and slow cook the apple slices to make applesauce and apple butter.
In addition, their crisp texture does in fact shine in raw preparations as well.
So, you can dice and add them to coleslaw and chopped salads or slice them thin and
then add them to sandwiches and burgers.

Apples – Cripps Pink

Cripps Pink is unquestionably an amazing variety of apples, particularly known for

its unique sweet-tart flavor and firm, crisp texture which in turn appeals to that
crunch-loving side of us . These apples' richness in vitamins C, A, Calcim and Iron
is yet another outstanding characteristic.
Cripps Pink apple has a great flavor and texture for eating fresh. It is great for
salads and fruit trays, as well as eating out of hand. This apple also makes a good
apple to cook into sauces and pies because of its high sugar content. Besides,
Cripps Pinks store very well, and can be kept for three months or more under proper
conditions; their flavor is actually enhanced by a month's storage.

Apples – Autumn Glory

This crunchy « bad boy » is what your body secretly asks for when you crave
something sweet and juicy ! There's in fact more to it than just its juiciness –
Autumn Glory apples have a cinnamony taste that’s distinctly redolent of a baked
apple pie. Nutrition-wise, they contain plenty of fiber, as well as Vitamin C,
potassium and boron . The crisp and juicy texture of an Autumn Glory can be enjoyed
fresh out-of-hand or cooked. These apples are especially delicious in baked goods.
You can make a sweet applesauce or add diced apples to garden or fruit salads.

Apples – Ambrosia

This glossy, conically-shaped apple, which is typically available in the fall, is a

great source of fiber along with vitamins A and C, which makes it the go-to option
for people who want something that lowers their cholesterol level or aids them in
digestion. As far as food is concerned, Ambrosia apples will complement both sweet
and savory preparations. They will add sweetness to cakes, doughnuts and muffins.
They also hold their shape and flavor when cooked, making them perfect for pies,
tarts and baked apples. Slow to brown when cut, Ambrosia apples are indeed perfect
for use in raw preparations. You can slice them thin and serve them with sharp
cheese, or layer these slices atop a burger or simply add them to fresh salads.

Apples – Cameo

Cameo's creamy, dense flesh is the definition of awesomeness, especially when

combined with the fact that this apple is typically resistant to browning when cut.
It is also sodium and cholesterol free and rich in soluble fiber, which has been
shown to promote a healthy cardiovascular system, not to mention that Cameo apples
also contain a fair amount of potassium and vitamin C as well as some iron, vitamin
A and calcium. So, basically, one could talk for hours about the magical effect of
these benefits when put together in the form of a Cameo apple. You can, of course,
snack on one of these apples, or simply add them in salads, baking, beverages and
pies.

Apples – Envy

Well, aside from the outstanding fact that Envy apple doesn’t brown as quickly as
other apple varieties, its ruby red skin and crisp, sweet white flesh can make
anyone fall in love after the first bite! One medium apple has less than 100
calories, along with 17% of the daily recommended value of dietary fiber and 14% of
the daily recommended value of Vitamin C. Envy apples are a delicious addition in
salads, baked goods, and they can also be your most favorite snack.