2005 Year in Review

Apple Facts

Source: Ron Wolford, Unit Educator, Urban Horticulture and Environment, rwolford@uiuc.edu

Fall is a good time to visit a local or area apple orchard, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"Apple orchards are no longer just a few acres of land with a few hundred apple trees," said Ron Wolford. "Many have become family entertainment centers with wagon rides, pig races, restaurants, corn mazes, music, petting zoos, school tours, bonfires, apple cider, and playgrounds.

"But even with all these activities, the apple is still the star of the show."

Apples have been around for more than 4,000 years, he noted. Apples have been found in the ancient remains of homes in Switzerland. The apple was also a favorite food of the Greeks and Romans. Early settlers brought apple seeds to North America, and apple trees were grown as early as 1630 in Massachusetts.

"Apples are cholesterol, sodium, and fat free," said Wolford. "An average apple about the size of a tennis ball has 80 calories and 20 percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber. That is as much fiber as a bowl of bran cereal."

The average American eats about 19 pounds of fresh apples a year, which averages out to about an apple a week. If he or she is smart, the apple peel is left on.

"Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in that peel," said Wolford. "Antioxidants help to reduce oxidant damage to cells, which can trigger some diseases."

U.S. farmers grow about 250 million bushels of apples each year, and 60 percent of that total is consumed fresh. One hundred varieties of apples are grown commercially in the United States and more than 7,500 varieties are grown worldwide. The five most popular varieties in the United States are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, and Granny Smith.

China grows more apples than any other country in the world, followed by the United States, Turkey, Italy, and France.

To learn more about apples or where the closest orchard is located, visit U of I Extension's Apples and More website, located at: Apples and More

by  Editor, theCity1.com
October 3, 2005