Apples The Healthy Treat

Apples are delightful any time of the year, but late summer and fall are when we tend to think about them the most, at least I do. The apple is one of the most underestimated fruits. It was thought at one time that it actually had little nutritional value at all. Now we have come to realize it's worth! A medium apple contains about 81 calories and is one of the best sources of soluble fiber. For the longest time, value of fiber was overlooked now, however, we realize its importance. Soluble fiber is shown to prevent sharp swings in blood sugar levels and helps to lower blood cholesterol. The soluble fiber in the apple does not prevent cancer like insoluble fiber, but it is just as valuable, diabetics should incorporate them into their diets as much as possible. They contain no saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium, and they are good for your heart

There are many varieties of apples to choose from, but when shopping for them they should be firm, fragrant, and free from bruises. Apples that are freshly picked tend to be the most crisp and flavorful, but they store well in the refrigerator also.

Tips:

1. Once you cut an apple toss the pieces in a little bit of lemon juice to discourage browning.

2. If you want to keep apples for a long time place them in a plastic bag and spray with water from a plant mister once a week, they may last as long as 4 to 6 weeks this way depending on the variety.

3. Apples can be used for so many things, peeled and sliced for fillings

4. Core them, chop or grate for stuffing or mincemeat.

5. Core then cut into rings for fritters.

6. Cook and strain them to make apple sauce.

7. Slice and saute them with cabbage for a quick, high fiber side dish.

The list goes on depending on your creativity, apples can be incorporated into so many things! Below I have provided a list of 12 different types of apples, how they taste and what they are best used for.

1. Braeburn this is a crisp, spicy, sweet, juicy apple that can be stored up to 6 months if stored correctly and can be enjoyed any way you like.

2. Empire this apple is crisp, sweet-tart, Crunchy, juicy and often used in salads.

3.Fiji this apple is often large in size, not to acidic and best used for any type of cooking.

4.Gala this apple is firm, crisp with a sweet vanilla-like flavor and is best enjoyed fresh, excellent for salads and sauces.

5.Golden Delicious this apple is yellow with a mild sweet flavor and is excellent in salads and apple sauce.

6.Granny Smith this apple is best fresh but often used in pies and salads, crisp, juicy and acidic in taste.

7.Honeycrisp this apple is low in acid, sweet and best eaten fresh or as a dessert.

8.Jonagold this apple is sweet with a little tang, large apple that is often used in pies and salads that go with red meat.

9.Jonathan this apple is spicy sweet, medium in size and is used in sauces and cider.

10.Red Delicious this apple is mild in flavor and used in salads.

11.Winesap this apple is juicy, Crunchy and tart it is used in baking and cooking.

12.McIntosh apples are exceptionally juicy, crisp and slightly tart, they are not good for baking because they do not hold their shape.

Thanks for reading!

Velzipmur aka Shelly Wyatt

• Did you know that apples are the most widely grown fruit?

• Did you know that apples originated in Central Asia?

• Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe.

• Apples were brought to North America by the European Colonists.

• Apples are often eaten raw.

• They are great in cooked desserts such as apple cobbler, apple crisp and apple pies.

• Organic apples are more commonly grown in the United States.

• There is such thing as an apple allergy, often found in Northern Europe, it is called birch syndrome. This occurs when someone is allergic to birch pollen.

This is a quick and easy way to enjoy a tasty and nutritious snack.

Peel the top third off of a cooking apple and core it. Wrap it in plastic wrap, then microwave on high about 2 1/2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes, then season to taste. Can be topped with ice cream, frozen vanilla yogurt,or cinnamon and raisins.