ALL ABOUT APPLE

History of the Apple
In honor of Tu-B'Shevat (15th day of Sh'vat), we will now talk about a fruit - a very special fruit - the Apple, "King" of all fruits (in Hebrew it is called Tapuach).
Now, why should the apple, in particular, be known as the "King" of all fruits? The answer is: because this fruit has so many virtues. An apple is beautiful, tasty and has a fine fragrance. It can be grown almost everywhere, and it keeps well.?
On the outside it is a colorful fruit. It comes in various colors from green to red to gold. In taste an apple is tasty and juicy, and has various tastes from sour to sweet. One can eat an apple raw, cooked, or baked, and it can be used in various dishes, such as apple tzimmes, (applesauce) apple compote, apple pie, apple strudel, etc.
Apples are very good for one's health. An English saying is: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Actually, an apple is good for one's digestion, and also has important vitamins and minerals. Apples also help to clean one's teeth after a meal. No other fruit has so many good qualities. Therefore, it is not surprising that the apple is regarded as the "King" of all fruits.
The original home of the apple is considered to be in the countries of Southwest Asia, including the land of Israel. From there it spread to Europe and the rest of the world. Apples can grow anywhere, excluding extremely hot or extremely cold climates.
The apple is frequently mentioned in the T'NaCh. King Solomon (in Proverbs, 25:11) said: "Golden apples in silver dishes-such is a word in the right place." And when he wanted to compare the love between the Jewish people and the Almighty, he expressed himself thus: "like an apple tree amongst the trees of the forest, is my beloved among the sons" (Song of Songs, 2:3).
The ancient Greeks also planted and cultivated apple trees. A Greek writer in the time of Alexander of Macedonia reported that four kinds of apples were grown in Greece. In ancient Rome, too, the apple was regarded as an important fruit. The Romans helped greatly in spreading the apple trees in European lands. Whenever the Romans conquered a country, they always took apple seeds along and planted them. Thus, they introduced the apple also to England.
How the Apple Came to America
When America was first discovered, the apple was already an important fruit in European lands. The British and the Dutch brought the apple to "New England" and to "New Amsterdam" (New York); the French brought the apple to Canada. From the Atlantic States the apple quickly spread to all of America.
The Americans eat more apples and apple pies than any other people, so that these two things are considered to be almost American national foods. However, as already mentioned, the apple did not originate in America, but was brought there by the first settlers from Europe. Now America takes first place in the world regarding the cultivation and use of the apple. One hundred million bushels of apples a year, on an average, are produced in America (a bushel is 48 lbs.). That is to say, half a bushel of apples a year for each man, woman and child.
In a productive year, the result could be more than one hundred thirty-four million bushels of apples. The price of a bushel could be from $1.50 to $4.00 - depending on the kind of apple. Specially picked apples can cost up to $6.00 or more per bushel.
The American annual harvest of apples yields between one hundred twenty and five hundred million dollars. One third of these apples is dried, canned, converted to juice, etc. Between 2% and 5% is exported.
In some states of America the apple industry is very important. The main states are Washington (which harvests twenty to thirty millions bushels a year), New York (about fifteen million bushels a year), Virginia (about nine million bushels a year), Michigan (around seven million bushels a year), Pennsylvania (about six million bushels), etc.
About ten thousand different kinds of apples are known in the world. More than seven thousand kinds are grown in America. But for commercial purposes only about twenty different known kinds are cultivated. These are special favorites, they keep better than others and do not spoil in transit, excel in taste and quality, etc. The majority of these kinds of apples have been developed in America.
Famous Apples
Apples are not planted by seeds, for, strange to say, the trees that would grow from these seeds would not necessarily remain true to the tree from which they were taken.
For instance, should the seeds of an apple be planted, and fruit trees result, it could happen that not all the apples would have the same taste as the apple from which the seeds were taken.
So, it could also happen that by a fortunate chance, an exceptionally fine kind of apple could result. Indeed, it was in such a manner that many of today's well-known apples were cultivated, and became so favored. In such cases, the area where this takes place regards it as a stroke of good fortune.
The U.S. government allows the patenting of such a discovery. This gives a nice income to the lucky discoverer, and becomes a part of history.
In Wilmington, Mass., there is a gigantic stone monument of an apple at the spot where the famous "Baldwin" apple was first discovered. (This juicy apple is gold-colored with red streaks, and has a slightly tarty taste.)
There is a similar monument in Ontario, Canada, where a certain John Mackintosh discovered the apple, since known as the "Mackintosh." This is a yellowish rose-colored apple, very juicy and tasty and one of the famous in America.
In order to ensure that particular apple trees will grow apples according to their origins, their seeds are not sown, but small twigs are implanted in the stems of other apple trees which have good, healthy roots.
From one such healthy apple tree, it is possible, in this manner, to transplant a great number of other apple trees, the fruits of which would be an exact copy of the original tree, in taste, fragrance, and appearance.
Apple trees are planted commercially in gardens, in rows, spaced between thirty and forty feet apart, to facilitate their development and, mainly, to allow sufficient room to get near the tree to care for it and gather its fruit.
The apple trees are sprayed with chemicals to guard them against pests, such as worms and other harmful insects. An apple tree which is properly cared for can bear fruits for a period of thirty years or even longer.
The "Apple Garden"
As already mentioned, the apple and apple tree are often, mentioned in the T'NaCh (in Proverbs, several times in Song of Songs1, and also in Joel 1:12).
Our Sages, of blessed memory, declared that the verse: "Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest," refers to the time of Mattan Torah, the Giving of the Torah, when the Jews choose the Almighty and He choose the Jews and gave them the Torah and Mitzvoth, which all other nations had refused to accept.
Our Sages say: Why are Jews compared to an apple tree? Because just as in the case of the apple tree, the blossoms appear before the leaves, so too Jews, at the time of receiving the Torah, first said: Naaseh - "We will do," and then said: v'Nishma - "We will understand."
This means that the first thing, the main thing, is doing, namely, to observe the Mitzvoth given to us by the Almighty, whether or not we understand them. The second step is to understand them through learning Torah. Indeed, through observing the Mitzvoth, it becomes easier to understand them (Nishma).
In the Kabbala and Chasiduth--especially Chabad Chasiduth - it is explained that the apple symbolizes the G-dly soul of a Jew (Tapuach comes from the word Nofach - to blow, as in the morning prayer - Elokai Neshama), which the Almighty blew into man as His own "breath," as it were.
The Garden of Eden, where souls are nourished by the light of the Shechinah (Divine presence), is called Chakal Tapuchin, the "Garden (or field) of Apple Trees."
Now that we are better acquainted with the "King of fruits," the wonderful apple, we will surely remember to recite the blessing: Borei P'Ri HaEitz (the one who creates the fruit of the tree), with greater understanding and joy, knowing that a Jew, wherever he may be, is "Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest" - as is the Jewish people in general.


The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, Malus domestica of the rose family (Rosaceae). It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apples grow on deciduous trees which are large if grown from seed, but small if grafted onto roots (rootstock). The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today. Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were brought to North America by European colonists. Apples have been present in the mythology and religions of many cultures, including Norse, Greek and Christian traditions. In 2010, the fruit's genome was decoded as part of research on disease control and selective breeding in apple production.
There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various tastes and uses, including cooking, fresh eating and cider production. Domestic apples are generally propagated by grafting, although wild apples grow readily from seed. Trees are prone to a number of fungal, bacterial and pest problems, which can be controlled by a number of organic and non-organic means.
About 69 million tons of apples were grown worldwide in 2010, and China produced almost half of this total. The United States is the second-leading producer, with more than 6% of world production. Turkey is third, followed by Italy, India and Poland. Apples are often eaten raw, but can also be found in many prepared foods (especially desserts) and drinks. Many beneficial health effects are thought to result from eating apples; however, two forms of allergies are seen to various proteins found in the fruit.

Delicious and crunchy apple fruit is one of the most popular fruits, favorite of health conscious, fitness lovers who believe in the concept “health is wealth.” This wonderful fruit is packed with rich phyto-nutrients that in the true senses indispensable for optimal health. The antioxidants in apple have much health promoting and disease prevention properties; thus truly justifying the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Apples are obtained from the medium-sized tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. The apple tree is originated in the mineral-rich mountain ranges of Kazakhstan, and now being cultivated in many parts of the world.
Apple fruit features oval or pear shape; and the outer skin has different colors depending upon the cultivar type. Internally, the juicy pulp has been off-white to cream in color and has to mix of mild sweet and tart taste. Its seeds are inedible because of their bitter taste.
Hundreds of varieties of apples are either eaten as table fruits or as dessert fruit grown in the US and worldwide. Some of the apples are sought-after in cooking and baking too.

Health benefits of apple

• Delicious and crunchy apple fruit is notable for its impressive list of phtyto-nutrients, and anti-oxidants. Studies suggest that its components are essential for normal growth, development and overall well-being.
  
• Apples are low in calories; 100 g of fresh fruit slices provide only 50 calories. They, however, contain no saturated fats or cholesterol. Nonetheless, the fruit is rich in dietary fiber, which helps prevent absorption of dietary-LDL or bad cholesterol in the gut. The fiber also saves the colon mucous membrane from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer-causing chemicals inside the colon.
  
• Apples are rich in antioxidant phyto-nutrients flavonoids and polyphenolics. The total measured anti-oxidant strength (ORAC value) of 100 g apple fruit is 5900 TE. Some of the important flavonoids in apples are quercetin, epicatechin, and procyanidin B2. Additionally, they are also good in tartaric acid that gives tart flavor to them. Altogether, these compounds help the body protect from deleterious effects of free radicals.
  
• Apple fruit contains good quantities of vitamin-C and beta-carotene. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
  
• Further, apple fruit is a good source of B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin, and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6). Together these vitamins help as co-factors for enzymes in metabolism as well as in various synthetic functions inside the body.
  
• Apple also contains a small amount of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus, counters the bad influences of sodium.
  

Selection and Storage

Fresh apples are readily available in the stores all around the season. Choose fresh, bright, firm textured apples with rich flavor. Avoid fruits with pressure marks over their surface as they indicate underlying mottled of pulp.

Fresh apples can be kept at room temperature for few days and stored inside the refrigerator for two to three weeks. Wash them in clean running cold water before use to remove any surface dust and pesticide/fungicide residues.

(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Energy	50 Kcal	2.5%
Carbohydrates	13.81 g	11%
Protein	0.26 g	0.5%
Total Fat	0.17 g	0.5%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	2.40 g	6%
Vitamins
Folates	3 µg	1%
Niacin	0.091 mg	1%
Pantothenic acid	0.061 mg	1%
Pyridoxine	0.041 mg	3%
Riboflavin	0.026 mg	2%
Thiamin	0.017 mg	1%
Vitamin A	54 IU	2%
Vitamin C	4.6 mg	8%
Vitamin E	0.18 mg	1%
Vitamin K	2.2 µg	2%
Electrolytes
Sodium	1 mg	0%
Potassium	107 mg	2%
Minerals
Calcium	6 mg	0.6%
Iron	0.12 mg	1%
Magnesium	5 mg	1%
Phosphorus	11 mg	2%
Zinc	0.04 mg	0%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	27 µg	--
Crypto-xanthin-ß	11 µg	--
Lutein-zeaxanthin	29 µg	--