Autumn means apple festival time! Apples are grown in almost every state, so harvest season initiates some of our most enjoyable traditions that are as American as, well, apple pie.
Many families look forward to picking apples at a local orchard. Some folks are inspired to churn homemade apple butter or try a new apple dessert recipe. Then there’s the aroma of hot apple cider flavored with a cinnamon stick. Or a crisp red apple dipped in gooey caramel. Who can resist?
Here are facts about this favorite fruit along with tips for making the most of your personal apple harvest this year:
Apple Facts
- The science of apple growing is called pomology
- The average consumer eats about 49 pounds of apples a year
- A medium-sized apple has about 80 calories and five grams of fiber
- Twenty-five percent of an apple’s volume is air, which is why it floats
- It takes two pounds of apples to make one 9-inch pie
- The largest apple ever picked weighed three pounds
Apple Tips
- When picking apples, grasp the apple carefully in the palm of your hand and twist gently
- Keep apples in a cool place, such as the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. They’ll keep even longer if you don’t wash them before storing
- Dip apples in boiling water to make peeling easier
- Prevent peeled or sliced applies from turning brown by placing them in cold water with a teaspoon of lemon juice or a pinch of salt
- Handle with care. The ethylene gas emitted by a bruised apple puts all the others at risk. The old saying about one bad apple spoiling the whole bunch is true