Where does the apple come from and what are its benefits?

The apple is a fruit as delicious as it is intriguing. It is at the heart of many myths and legends and at the same time a star in the kitchens of great chefs. It is one of the fruits with the most different varieties in the world, undoubtedly one of the reasons for its popularity. Discover this unique and juicy fruit in all its forms.

Quick apple history lesson

Derived from the apple tree, the apple is undoubtedly one of the most consumed fruits on the planet. Its name comes from the Latin term “pumum” which means “fruit” and its origins date back more than 80 million years with Neolithic man. According to scientists, the fruit would have been eaten for the first time in the South Caucasus region and on the Anatolian plateaus in Turkey by the latter. Seduced, he will strongly participate in its propagation throughout the world by developing its culture. Moreover, the expansion of the apple across Europe would also be the work of the Romans who discovered the existence of many variants of the fruit.

The apple is also a fruit that has survived generations of human history to the present day. Already in the Bible, it is spoken of as the forbidden fruit, at the root of original sin. In Greek mythology, the apple is said to be the cause of the Trojan War after Paris offered it to Aphrodite. It is also found in the labors of Hercules who was to steal it from the garden of the Hesperides. The apple would therefore be the fruit of temptation, but also that of power since the sun was symbolized by a golden apple in Roman times.

What are the different varieties of apples?

It is difficult to know exactly how many varieties of apples there are. Some agree that there are 20,000, while others, thanks to a directory of varieties of the genus Malus, type domestica, stop at 11,324.

One thing is certain, the cultivation of apples over the years for various consumption purposes has led to the discovery of various varieties with different taste and culinary characteristics and qualities. Although it is not possible to name them all, some of them are worth mentioning.

1 – The beauty of Boskoop

Also called Reinette of Montfort, it is a variety of apple from Boskoop in Holland. It is a rustic fruit with a tangy taste and fragrant flavors.

2 – The Braeburn

It is the most widely grown variety in New Zealand. Its tree produces fruit in abundance and at an impressive speed, which facilitates its cultivation in the region. It is a tart apple, with very subtle flavors.

3 – The winter white Calville

A real celebrity among apple lovers, this variety of apple has been discovered for thousands of years already. It is recognizable by its white flesh, its yellow color, its conical and ribbed shape. It is a fairly large apple, pleasant to bite into and which contains a lot of vitamin C.

4 – The Queen Tramp

This variety of apple, very common in Vendée, is distinguished by its slightly flattened appearance and rough skin. It is a sweet, firm apple that turns yellow when ripe.

5 – The Fuji

The Fuji is a variety of apple with a red appearance and a firm texture that has its origins in Japan. It is a fruit cultivated and elaborated in the city of Fujisaki to which it owes its name.

6 – The delicious Golden

It is no longer a variety to present since it is famous all over the world. It is a very juicy apple and very popular with consumers, which justifies its high production.

7 – The Granny Smith

Another celebrity among apple varieties, the Granny-Smith is medium in size and apple green in color. It is a crunchy and firm fruit very popular in salads.

8 – The Pink Lady

As its name suggests, the Pink lady has a pink coloring. It is a fairly good chewable apple with a sweet taste.

9 – The Pippin Queen

Still called Belrène, it is an old variety of apple widely used in apple pie recipes. It is a tangy and juicy fruit, with a yellow color streaked with red, very pleasant to bite into.

10 – The Gala

It is a variety of apple of small size and red-orange color. Gala is one of the most consumed apple varieties in the world because of its tonic and crunchy appearance. It is quite firm and juicy and much less acidulous.

What are the benefits of apples?

There is a popular saying, “an apple in the morning keeps the doctor away”. This simple little phrase could be enough to describe how good this fruit can be for the body

• The presence of carbohydrate and fructose makes it an ideal food for the maintenance of athletes.
• She allows to reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• effectively fights against cardiovascular diseases.
• In addition, the apple is a food very rich in pectin, an element useful for reducing cholesterol levels.
• Likewise, it is rich in antioxidants, which allows it to promote cell regeneration and slow down aging.
• It is a food that helps maintain a good acid-base balance and relieve constipation.

How to eat an apple?

As you have certainly noticed, the apple can be eaten in several ways. For lovers of sweet drinks, apple juice allows you to fully enjoy all the flavors of the apple. In the oven, you can concoct the very famous apple pie that delights young and old.

You can also let yourself be tempted by a compote, a salad, jelly or apple fritter. However, you are also free to bite into it simply for your own pleasure. It’s up to you to decide according to your preferences how you want to consume your apple. What is interesting with this fruit is that the choice of variety can be important in the dish you intend to cook.

As you will have understood, the apple is a fruit that is both particular and varied. These many benefits make it the food par excellence to consume every day. All you must do is let your imagination guide you to ever more original recipes.