Apple Facts

Did you know that (history and origins):

• Legends surround the history of the apples.

• Greek and Roman mythology honoured this fruit, particularly golden apples, as a symbol of reward of love or beauty.

• The bible refers to the fruit that tempted Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden; the Songs of Solomon mention the apple and finally,  Swiss folklore tells of William Tell's courageous act of shooting an apple from his son's head.

• In ancient Greece throwing an apple at a woman was considered a marriage proposal. And if the woman caught the apple, she accepted your marriage proposal."  The origin of this fact comes from the Epigram number 7 of the book "Plato, complete works" that goes as follow : "I throw the apple at you, and if you are willing to love me, take it and share your girlhood with me; but if your thoughts are what I pray they are not, even then take it, and consider how short-lived is beauty." 

Did you also know that (health and wellbeing):

• A raw apple cleans the teeth and stimulates and nourishes the gums.  Ending a meal with an apple assists in cleaning the teeth and maintaining a healthy mouth.

• A 65mm diameter apple is typically equivalent to a 100g serving with the core removed and a 90mm diameter fruit typically equates to a 250g serving with the core removed.

• Vitamins A and C in apples help the body to resist infection and keep cells and tissues healthy.  Vitamin A aids digestion, helps promote growth, and is an aid to eye health and steady nerves.

• The pectin and malic acid in apples absorb body toxins, tone up and aid digestion, while the bulk peps up the entire digestive system.

• Typical nutritional values per 100g servings are Energy, 220kj (55kcal); Protein 0.3g; Carbohydrates 12.3g; Fat 0.1g; fibre 1.8g.

• Sodium is present in apples at a trace level only and so fit easily with low-sodium (salt free) diets.

• Two apples equal one glass of water in thirst quenching ability.

• Babies have fewer rashes, less trouble with colic and intestinal upsets when given applesauce of apples juice.

Did you finally know (you can enjoy apples year around):

• Today's modern storage methods allow us to enjoy fresh apples year around.

• Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage checks ageing of harvested apples by controlling both temperature and atmosphere in storage buildings.   By reducing the oxygen and increasing the carbon dioxide in the refrigerated storage rooms, the respiration rate of the apple is reduced as the fruit "goes to sleep".  Modern storage methods result in  crisper and fresher apples for months longer then when kept in conventional refrigerated storage.

• To store apples at home, they should be kept in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or the fruit/vegetable bin to prevent absorption of other food flavours.

• Apples are equally tasty served cold or at room temperature, on their own, or together with other foods.