It goes without saying that apples are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They’re grown on every continent and consumed by every culture around the globe. With 19 grams of sugar per medium sugar – they’re definitely one of the fruits you’d consider “nature’s candy”. In this blog post, we’ll look into the origin of apples and answer the most common questions people have about them. Let’s go!
What are apples?
Let’s start with the an obvious one – what are apples? Apples are a super-popular fruit that’s consumed all over the world. Apples come in tons of different sizes, shapes and colors. And while red is the most common color of apples, there are varieties that are green, yellow and even blue!
Apples are fruits that naturally occur because they come from apple trees. And, obviously, apples aren’t processed. They go straight from the tree to your home!
How many types of apples are there?
We know that apples come in many different colors – but how many types of apples are out there? There are so many varieties of apples out there that it’s impossible to put an exact number on it, quite honestly. But the estimated number of apple varieties is widely believed to be around 7,500. However, this figure only includes the apples that are cultivated, it doesn’t account for the varieties of wild apples that are out there.
If they ever offer a job taste testing the varieties of apples, sign me up.
Are apples vegan?
Apples are definitely vegan! They go straight from the orchard to your kitchen without being processed and contain no animal products.
What’s the nutritional value of an apple?
Because there are so many varieties of apples, and because they grow in so many different sizes, it’s difficult say the precise value of an apple. But let’s take a look at what a medium apple typically contains: 90-100 calories, 200 grams of potassium, 25 grams of carbs, 4.5 grams of fiber, and 19 grams of sugar. Apples are also a good source of vitamin C.
And apples are a good source of B vitamins and minerals like copper and manganese. Just remember to eat the skin – that’s where most of the antioxidants and fiber are found!
What are the benefits of apples?
Apples are known to have incredible health benefits! Here are some of the reasons why apples are good for your health:
Improved heart health: Apples are good for your health because they can reduce the amount of bad cholesterol that’s in your blood. This is due to the soluble fiber that’s in apples. In addition, the flavonoids in apples are believed to minimize the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular issues.
Better immune system: Apples are a great source of antioxidants. This enables them to aid the human body in maintaining healthy cells and fighting off infections. Apples also contain vitamins C and E, both of which help promote a strong immune system.
Better gut health: Your gut needs constant maintenance to run smoothly. The fiber and pectin found in apples promote good bacteria in the gut, which boosts overall gut health and digestion.
Weight loss: Apples are known to help you feel fuller, longer. This is because they contain a good amount of fiber and water. In short, apples aid weight loss because they help stop you from overeating.
What are the most common apples?
There are five types of apples that you’ll find in just about every grocery store in America:
Gala apples: Gala apples are mildly sweet and are known to be juicy. They’re a blend of two other types of apples: golden delicious and kidd’s orange red apples.
Red delicious apples: For a long time, red delicious apples were the most popular apples in America. However, nowadays people tend to lean towards sweeter and crunchier apples and red delicious apples are in a bit of a decline.
Granny smith apples: These are the green or greenish-yellow apples that you see in grocery stores. They have a tarter flavor and are commonly used in baking.
Fuji apples: Fuji apples are actually a hybrid between red delicious apples and Virginia Ralls Genet apples. They have a very similar taste to red delicious apples, with a nice combination of sweetness and juiciness.
Honeycrisp: Honeycrisp apples are rising in popularity and some believe it will be America’s favorite apple in coming years. Many consider these to be the sweetest apples that are out there.
How to make homemade applesauce from apples
If you have a surplus of apples, you may be considering turning some of them into applesauce. And, I can’t blame you! The good news is that apple sauce is fairly simple to make. Here’s what you need to whip it up:
- About 6 to 8 apples
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1 cup of water
Once you have the ingredients, here’s how to combine them:
- Wash the apples
- Chop the apples into small pieces. You can either peel the skin off or leave it on, whichever you prefer. I recommend peeling the skin.
- Combine the apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and water in a large saucepan on a skillet over medium heat. Stir it frequently.
- Reduce the heat from medium to low, then allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes or until the apples become soft.
- Using a potato masher or blender, combine the cooked apples into a smooth sauce.
- Serve the applesauce immediately or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can apples be frozen?
Yes, apples can be frozen! When apples are frozen, they’ll stay good for up to 12 months. Just remember to label the apples when you freeze them, in case you forget how long they’ve been in there!
Using applesauce as a replacement for oil
Did you know that applesauce is commonly used as an oil replacement in baking? And that using applesauce instead of oil is incredibly simple. You can replace oil with an equal amount of applesauce – no math or conversion required!
Why would you use applesauce in stead of oil? Well, applesauce typically contains fewer calories and fat than what’s found in oil. Apple sauce also adds moisture and flavor to most baking recipes!
Using applesauce as a replacement for eggs
That’s right… applesauce isn’t just a replacement for oil – it also can be used as a replacement for eggs! You can use applesauce instead of eggs in any baking recipe, including bread, cakes and cookies. For every egg that a recipe calls for, just use 1/4 cup of applesauce instead.
Using applesauce as a replacement for butter
Guess what, it continues to get better! Applesauce is kind of a do-everything substitute when it comes to baking, it turns out.
Applesauce is commonly used as a butter replacement because it contains less fat and calories. It also adds more fiber and nutrients to food than butter does, while adding additional moisture into the recipe. In recipes that use butter, apple can be replaced in an equal amount.
Vegan recipes that use apples
Peanut butter cookies recipe: This recipe combines just seven ingredients to whip up 8 to 10 delicious, soft and chewy cookies.
Baked oatmeal bars recipe: Because it’s always a good idea to keep a healthy and tasty protein bar on hand!
Banana oat muffins recipe: A great option to meal-plan a healthy grab-and-go breakfast for the entire family.
