Apples originated in Western Asia but are now grown in temperate climates throughout the world where there are warm days and cool nights. The different varieties of apples range in the thousands with each having its own unique color, shape, texture and flavor.
An Apple a Day
If one apple can do you good, how about a whole bushel? Take an apple-picking excursion with your family this fall and enjoy this succulent fruit to the fullest extent! Here are some tips to make your adventure “fruitful”:
Location: If you aren’t lucky enough to have your own apple trees, check out allboutapples.com to find an orchard near you.
Picking: Apples ripen from the outside of the tree in, so choose apples from the outermost branches. Make sure they are firm and bruise-free. Don’t pull the apple straight from the tree—instead, lift up and give it a little twist.
Snacks: Orchards often sell pie, cider, and, of course, apples, but there isn’t much else available, so make sure to bring bagged lunches and drinks. For a fun snack, bring a knife to slice apples, as well as toppings and spreads like caramel and peanut butter.
(Did you know? Two pounds of apples make one 9-inch pie.)