Apple Fruit
Health Benefits
Studies have shown that apples may reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer among other benefits. In contrast to other fruits and vegetables, apples contain low amounts of vitamin C, but are a rich source of other antioxidants and minerals. The fiber content, while less than in most other fruits, helps regulate bowel movements and may therefore reduce the risk of colon cancer. This fruit may also help with heart disease, weight loss, and cholesterol regulation. They are a good source of fiber making the fruit an ideal snack for anyone trying to lose or monitor their weight. There is evidence to suggest that in vitro apples contain phenolic compounds which may be cancer preventative and protective. The main phenolic phytochemicals in apples are quercetin, epicatechin, and procyanidin B2. As well as these benefits, apples have been found to improve cognitive functions and prevent the decline in brain performance caused by deficiencies and time. This has led to theories that apples help prevent and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. .
Human Consumption
Apples may be juiced, canned or eaten raw. They are milled to create apple cider, crushed for apple sauce and filtered for apple juice among other uses.The juice can later be fermented to produce alcoholic cider, vinegar or ciderkin. By further distillation, many other alcoholic beverages can be created such as applejack, apple wine and Calvados. Apple seed oil and pectin are also easily made. Apples are a main ingredient in a variety of dessert treats such as apple tart, apple cake, apple pie, apple crisp, apple crumble, and caramel apples. They can be baked, stewed, covered or dipped in a variety of sweet sauces and nuts for a simple delicious treat. They are easily dried or preserved in cans for later use. Aside from canning apples, they may also be blended into a wide variety of apple sauces, made into apple butter, apple jelly or used in main meal dishes. Some people even baste them in honey and grill them during the summer for a crunchy and pleasantly unique taste.
- In the United Kingdom toffee apples are a traditional sweet treat made by covering an apple in hot toffee them allowing it to cool.
- In the USA candy apples are coated in a hard shell of crystallized sugar syrup, covered with caramel to created caramel apples or placed in a bucket of water on Halloween to play a fun game of Bobbing for Apples, a fun tradition usually done at parties or with families.
- Apples are consumed with honey at the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah to represent and hope for a sweet new year.
- Farms with apple orchards may open them to the public and consumers themselves are then allowed to pick their own apples that they wish to buy.
