Quick Fall Favorite Fruit Facts: Apples

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Did you know that there are 7,500 different varieties of apples grown worldwide? As the second largest producer of apples, the United States grows over 100 of those different varieties commercially and 2,500 of those varieties altogether. Apples are grown commercially in 36 different states by over 5000 different producers. Let’s take a closer look at this fall favorite!

Nutrition facts: (one medium, 2 ½ inch sized fresh, raw apple with skin)
Calories: 81 
Carbohydrate: 21 grams
Dietary fiber: 4 grams
Calcium: 10 mg
Phosphorous: 10 mg
Iron: 0.25 mg
Potassium: 159 mg
Vitamin C: 8 mg
Vitamin A: 73 IU
Folate: 4 mcg

Other apple facts:
• The science of apple growing is called pomology.
• Apples are a member of the rose family.
• The largest apple picked weighed 3 lbs.
• It takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce 1 apple.
• Apples ripen 6-10 times faster at room temperature than when refrigerated.
• 2/3 of the fiber and many antioxidants are found in the peel of an apple.

As you can see, apples are a great low-calorie, higher fiber snack. No wonder they are the number one consumed fruit in the United States. Stay tuned next time for a breakdown of the different varieties of apples and some recipes using all your favorite varieties of apples!

-BC

Resources:
https://usapple.org/industry-at-a-glance
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/apples/nutrition.cfm

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