Apple Fruit

Apple Facts
- China is the largest grower, followed by the U.S.
- Washington State accounts for 60% of the U.S. commercial apple market
- Often made into apple pie, applesauce, apple juice and vinegar.
- High in fiber
- Fermented apple juice becomes Hard Cider
- Fermented and distilled apple juice produces Applejack or Apple Brandy
- Pippin is the name used instead of apple for several tart varieties.
- The Honeycrisp is a new apple originated in Wisconsin.

The apple is a pomaceous fruit, prized for its high yields and long storage life. Its scientific name is Malus domestica and it is in the rose family Rosaceae. The fruit originated in Central Asia but has wild relatives in the New World. The apple is one of the most popular and widely grown fruits. It is easy to ship, resistant to disease, and popular for its flavor which can be sweet or tart, depending on the varietal. Roughly 60 million tons of apples are produced each year. They are predominately a fruit of northern or temperate climates. In the USA the two leading producers are Washington State and New York State, but internationally China leads the USA in apple production by a large margin. Bees are particularly important in growing apples, as the fruit does not develop unless the blooms are pollinated. An apple tree lives for an average of 60 to 70 years, with some reaching 100. At least 8000 varieties are known, with around 100 being commercially grown in the USA. The numerous varieties are well worth trying, the older and also newer varieties often have more and better flavor than the commonest, mass market varieties. Many people believe that the apples they pick by hand off the trees taste the best. Apples make a good home garden fruit but require well-drained soil and careful pruning. Apples have a long history in art and literature. They are the fruit most often depicted in the Biblical story of Adam, Eve and the Snake and for that reason are widely associated with lust and temptation. Swiss national hero William Tell famously shot an apple off his son's head with his crossbow. Golden apples featured in several Greek myths including the Judgment of Paris, a favorite of Old Master painters.
Top 10 Apple Producers
Popular Apple Varieties
1. Granny Smith Apple
2. Gala Apple
3. Golden Delicious Apple
4. Red Delicious Apple
5. Fuji Apple
6. Braeburn Apple
7. Pinata Apple
8. Empire Apple
9. McIntosh Apple
10. Pink Lady Apple
11. Rome Beauty Apple
12. Pippin Apple
13. Ginger Gold Apple
14. Gravenstein Apple
15. Honeycrisp Apple
16. Jonagold Apple