Apples are one of the most commonly eaten fruits in the world. They come in different varieties and have different tastes, sizes, and colours. Apples are mostly consumed as a fruit or as a dessert; apart from this, apples are also made into jam, cider, wine and juices. Apples are not just known for their taste but also for their health benefits. They help protect from chronic diseases, improve digestion, protect from heart diseases and many more.
Apple Characteristics
The apples available in the market fall under the collective category of Malus domestica, it is a Latin name. Malus sieversii is a wild apple variety that has been traced back to the Tian Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan, this is believed to be the original place of birth of apples. Apples have been growing here for millions of years and can even be seen today.
Apple trees don’t grow very tall in general, this is also because they can be grafted onto semi-dwarfing or dwarfing rootstock for shorter and lesser wild look. But if naturally grown, the tree can get upto 9 meters tall and equally huge in crown diameter. They have scaly bark with oval leaves having fine teeth at the end. Apple flowers are white in colour with five petals and having red or pink stamens in the middle of it.
Apple is a pome fruit with many varieties. They can be classified into three categories, apples varieties used for desserts, varieties used for cooking and the cider vinegar variety. They are all mostly roundish and around 5-10 cm in diameter. They can be seen in shades if green, red and yellow. A strict routine of pesticide control need to be followed with apple trees as they are prone to insects.
Types of Apples
There are many varieties of apples that are edible and can be used for different purposes. Mentioned below are some of them.
- Fuji apples: Fuji apples are similar to Red Delicious Apples. They have a subtle flavour and can be used in dishes for additional flavour. They can be used in sauces and salads and can be eaten raw.
- Envy: Envy apples are crunchy and sweet. They look round and are ruby red in colour, with a little green near the stem.
- Granny Smith: They are green in colour and are crunchy. They have a sweet but have a little tart. So they can be used to make sweet dips and savour dishes. They are seen during the months of October and November.
- Pink Lady: These apples are tart in the beginning and turn sweet at the end of each bite. As they have both acid and sugar, Pink Lady apples are great to eat as a fruit.
- Pazazz: Pazazz apples have a similar taste to Honey Crisp apples, as they are sweet with a pinch of tartness. They are a combination of yellow and red colours and hence the name Pazazz.
- Red Delicious: Red Delicious apples have a mild taste and subtle flavour, so they can be eaten as a fruit as such. They are also used in dishes as they don’t tend to stand out and can blend in with the flavours. Their top is a little wider than their bottom.
- Honey Crisp: This apple is a mixture of tartness, sweetness and juiciness. It’s blush red with a shade of green as an undertone. Honey Crisp apples are generally made into cider. They are also utilized in desserts as they hold the shape.
- Jazz: Jazz apples are very fruity in taste. They are best eaten raw as they have a unique and sharp taste. They have a very dense texture.
- Gala: They are red and yellow in colour. They are crisp and mild in taste, so they can be eaten raw. They are also good for cooking and baking. They are taller and thinner than the other apple varieties.
- Cameo: They are yellow with red streaks. Cameo apples are thin and delicate but have a dense flesh. They have a very sweet and tart flavour which makes it good for eating raw and for cooking. They are found around early spring and beginning of fall.
Benefits of Apple
- Blood pressure reduction: The antioxidants and fibre present in apple peels help with blood flow. Eating apples has been shown in a small study to assist in reducing high blood pressure.
- Reduction of inflammation: Apples are rich in anti-inflammatory components, that effectively reduces inflammation, particularly in the respiratory system. Numerous studies have shown that consuming apples can significantly decrease the levels of c-reactive proteins in the bloodstream, pointing to an improvement in chronic inflammation.
- Reduces cholesterol: Consuming a few apples daily has been proven to effectively reduce total cholesterol levels by approximately 5% to 8% in individuals with high cholesterol. This is due to the winning combination of antioxidants and fibre found in apples, particularly the fibre known as pectin. Pectin binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract, aiding in its removal and preventing it from clogging the arteries and restricting blood flow to the heart.
- Lowers blood sugar: The antioxidants and fiber in apple help in reducing the blood sugar. The antioxidants in apple helps keep the pancreas in shape. As pancreas produces insulin it directly helps with reduction of blood sugar.
- For a longer life: Research found that heart attacks are a leading cause of death among individuals. Apples are found to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
- Keeps stomach feeling full: As apples are abundant in fibre and water, it helps slow the digestion process, making the person feel full for a long time. This helps in weight loss and healthy eating.
- Boosts microbiome: The body contains multiple microorganisms that are present in the skin and the gut. Some of them are good for the body, and some not so much.
Conclusion
Apples a day keeps the doctor away so, we can have it everyday. They have a number of benefits including, improving digestion, protecting heart health, weight management, brain health and many more. This is because apple is a great source for fibre, nutrients, vitamin-c, antioxidants etc. It is better to wash the apple properly before consuming it as they are sprayed with good amount of pesticides.
