Apples

The Trojan War was fought over a beautiful woman, but it started with an apple. Apples were gifts between lovers in Ancient Greece, symbols of lust and virility. Accepting the gift of an apple signified acceptance of a romantic advance.

According to medical research, an apple a day might just be what the heart desires, so give yourself the gift an apple.

Health Benefits of the Apple

• Only 80 calories per medium-sized fruit
• Can reduce heart disease by lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and slowing absorption of sugar into the bloodstream
• Lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants like quercetin and elagic acid founds in the peel
• Quercetin found in the peel has been found to promote respiratory health and can act as an antihistamine for people who suffer from allergies

Choosing Delicious Apples

There are over 7,500 known cultivars of apples, so choosing the perfect apple is largely a matter of personal preference.  They differ in sugar content (the sweetest is Fuji), Vitamin C content (the highest is Braeburn) and antioxidant content, the latter largely dependent on the skin color.  Each apple type shines in a particular usage, and you can select apples for slicing and eating fresh, juicing into spiced cider, holding firm in a pie, or dissolving smoothly into sauce or apple butter.

When selecting your apples, no matter the variety, test the firmness of the apple with your fingers. Apples that feel slightly springy or have skin that’s begun to soften or wrinkle are likely to be mealy. The best apples will have a pleasant aroma, which is stronger in some varieties than others (like Gala).

Apple Varieties

Toggle your mouse over any of the varieties of apples below to learn its name, and click on the picture of each apple we carry to learn more information specific to that variety!