Apples

Originally published January 7, 2020

Apples are one of the most common fruits, especially in North America.  They are grown around the globe, including New Zealand and Japan.  You ask someone to name a type of fruit, and apple may be the one they come up with.  So why am I talking about apples?  Because I recently helped my boss with his finances/reports for his apple farm, and it just got me in the mood to talk about apples.  

Growing up, I did not like apples.  I just refused to eat them as a kid.  I liked applesauce and apple juice, but not apples themselves.  I got braces in my teens and I think I was starting to develop a liking for apples then, but with braces it becomes very hard to eat apples, at least whole apples.  I think I started to on occasion eat apple slices, but never whole ones.  Once I got my braces off, I slowly started trying apples.  And then, working at a grocery store and seeing them come through my line many times a day, I had to try them.  First, I'd have them with caramel dip to help ease myself into liking them, and then the apple by themselves.  I developed a liking for the Honeycrisp apples especially.  Unfortunately, Honeycrisp tend to be perhaps the most expensive apple variety at the store, and they're seasonal.  

I learned a lot about apples from working at a grocery store, and I am learning even more about them here.  I know a ton of varieties, and I still remember most of their PLU numbers.  Here, I have learned about culls and bins and which apples are used for juicing (golden delicious).  I have learned the different kinds of imperfections that can keep an apple from going to market such as punctures, scaldings, cracks, and worms stings.  My boss's farm I believe grows the six most popular apples in North America: Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Red Delicious.  Also, through some mathematics I have found that the average apple can weigh between 1/3 to almost 1/2 a pound.  

Recently a new apple was developed called "Cosmic Crisp".  It gets its name from its skin pattern looking like the cosmos AKA the stars.  I have tried them already and they are really good, about as good as Honeycrisp.  I would definitely recommend them to anyone that likes apples.  

I definitely want to eat apples more than I am now.  Right now, if I see an apple I like on sale I'll buy one or two, but that's it.  I'd like to eat several per week at least, because apples are a great snack and meal substitute, and they do promote weight-loss as they are densely water-filled, meaning they will fill you up more than something else of equivalent caloric value.  An apple's calories is roughly equal to half of the average candy or protein bar (95 vs. 200).  An apple will certainly fill you up more than half a candy or protein bar, and it's better for you.  A full candy or protein bar might fill you up as much as an apple, but you'll be taking in twice the calories.

The Washington Apple Commission even has a bunch of recipes to use apples for, from entrees to salads to desserts to even drinks!  I definitely want to try a few of these; they not only look tasty but fairly healthy (not counting desserts).  From a kid who grew up disliking apples, I sure have a fondness for them right now.  I am definitely going to have to start buying apples more often.