Tropical Fruits
(Picture is obtained from http://www.roasterscoffee.co.uk/images/fruit.jpg)
Apple belongs to the Malus species "domestica" in the rose family Rosaceae
(Picture is obtained from http://www.benikou.com/shopping/apple/apple_bestshot_big.jpg)
Facts about apple
Extracted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple
The apple belongs to the Malus species "domestica" in the rose family Rosaceae.
It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. The tree is small and deciduous, reaching 5 to 12 metres (16 to 39 ft) tall, with a broad, often densely twiggy crown.
The leaves are alternately arranged simple ovals 5 to 12 cm long and 3–6 centimetres (1.2–2.4 in) broad with an acute tip, serrated margin and a slightly downy underside.
Flowers are produced in spring simultaneously with the budding of the leaves. The flowers are white with a pink tinge that gradually fades, five petaled, and 2.5 to 3.5 centimetres (0.98 to 1.4 in) in diameter.
The fruit matures in autumn, and is typically 5 to 9 centimetres (2.0 to 3.5 in) diameter. The centre of the fruit contains five carpels arranged in a five-point star, each carpel containing one to three seeds.
Apples are very nutritious.
(Picture is obtained from http://www.rahul.net/clb/pix/apples.JPG)
The tree originated from Central Asia. There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, varying in their yield and the ultimate size of the tree, even when grown on the same environment.
At least 55 million tonnes of apples were grown worldwide in 2005, with a value of about US$10 billion. China produced about 35% and United States is the second leading producer, with more than 7.5% of the world production. Turkey, France, Italy and Iran are also among the leading apple exporters.
Description of the Fruit
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=15&tname=foodspice
Apples are a crisp, white-fleshed fruit with a red, yellow or green skin.
Apples have a moderately sweet, refreshing flavor and a tartness that is present to greater or lesser degree depending on the variety. For example, Golden and Red Delicious apples are mild and sweet, while Pippins and Granny Smith apples are notably brisk and tart. Tart apples, which best retain their texture during cooking, are often preferred for cooked desserts like apple pie, while Delicious apples and other sweeter varieties like Braeburn and Fuji apples are usually eaten raw.
Preserved Apple Fruit
Another form of preserving apple fruit
(Pictures is obtained from http://www.germes-online.com/direct/dbimage/50088311/IQF_Apple_and_Apricot.jpg)
Apple breeding
(Picture is obtained from http://www.allotment.org.uk/greenhouse/fruit/assets/apple.jpg)
Seedling apples are an example of "Extreme heterozygotes". They are different from their parents, sometimes radically.
Most new apple cultivars originate from seedlings. Apples can also form bud sports (mutations on a single branch). Some bud sports turn out to be improved strains of the parent cultivar. Some differ sufficiently from the parent tree to be considered new cultivars.
Breeders can produce more rigid apples through crossing. For example, the Excelsior Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota has, since the 1930s, introduced a steady progression of important hardy apples that are widely grown, both commercially and by backyard orchardists, throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Its most important introductions have included 'Haralson' (which is the most widely cultivated apple in Minnesota), 'Wealthy', 'Honeygold', and 'Honeycrisp'.
Apples have been acclimatized in Ecuador at very high altitudes, where they provide crops twice per year because of constant temperate conditions in a whole year.
Pollination
Apples are self-incompatible; they must cross-pollinate to develop fruit.
During the flowering each season, apple growers usually provide pollinators to carry the pollen.
Apple in religion, mythology and folktales
Apples appear in many religious traditions, often as a mystical or forbidden fruit. One of the problems identifying apples in religion, mythology and folktales is that the word "apple" was used as a generic term for all (foreign) fruit, other than berries but including nuts, as late as the 17th century.
(Picture is obtained from http://www.myurbanfarmer.com/images/apple1.jpg)
Mythology
(Picture is obtained from http://www.shee-eire.com/Herbs,Trees&Fungi/Trees/Apple/Photos/appleblossom03.JPG)
(Picture is obtained from http://www.shee-eire.com/Herbs,Trees&Fungi/Trees/Apple/Photos/appleblossom04.JPG)
(Picture is obtained from http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/516157607_b48870d247.jpg)
The Greek goddess of discord, Eris, became disgruntled after she was excluded from the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. In retaliation, she tossed a golden apple inscribed Kalliste (Kalliste), 'For the most beautiful one', into the wedding party. Three goddesses claimed the apple: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Paris of Troy was appointed to select the recipient. After being bribed by both Hera and Athena, Aphrodite tempted him with the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta. He awarded the apple to Aphrodite, thus indirectly causing the Trojan War.
Atalanta, also of Greek mythology, raced all her suitors in an attempt to avoid marriage. She outran all but Hippomenes (also known as Melanion, a name possibly derived from melon the Greek word for both "apple" and fruit in general), who defeated her by cunning, not speed. Hippomenes knew that he could not win in a fair race, so he used three golden apples (gifts of Aphrodite, the goddess of love) to distract Atalanta. It took all three apples and all of his speed, but Hippomenes was finally successful, winning the race and Atalanta's hand.
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest…
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste. (Song 2:3).)
Christianity
Though the forbidden fruit in the Book of Genesis is not identified, popular Christian tradition has held that it was an apple that Eve coaxed Adam to share with her. This may have been the result of Renaissance painters adding elements of Greek mythology into biblical scenes. In this case the unnamed fruit of Eden became an apple under the influence of story of the golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides. As a result, in the story of Adam and Eve the apple became a symbol for knowledge, immortality, temptation, the fall of man into sin.
(Picture is obtained from http://www.conradaskland.com/blog/2007/09/photos-from-the-apple-tree-musical-comedy/apple-tree-2.jpg)
In Latin, the words for "apple" and for "evil" are similar in the singular (malus—apple, malum—evil) and identical in the plural (mala). This may also have influenced the apple becoming interpreted as the biblical "forbidden fruit".
The larynx in the human throat has been called Adam's apple because of a notion that it was caused by the forbidden fruit sticking in the throat of Adam.
The apple as symbol of sexual seduction has been used to imply sexuality between men.
The idea of an apple being the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil with English speakers may have been helped by the fact that apple could also be a generic word for fruit in Old English, the word being used in various commentaries on Genesis.
Asian apple tree
Health Benefits
Quoted from http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=15&tname=foodspice
The following are the health benefits.
- Cardio-Protective Fiber
- Cardio-Protective Flavonoids
- Juice Ranked among the Highest in Antioxidant Activity
- Apples' Flavonoids Provide Much More than Antioxidant Protection
- Fructose for Stable Blood Sugar Levels
- Prevent Kidney Stones
- Promote Optimal Health
- Protection against breast cancer,
- Natural Sun Protection
- Increased lung function and increased weight loss.
- Reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and type 2 diabetes
- Excellent source of antioxidants
- Lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raising beneficial HDL cholesterol
- Inhibit the growth of liver and colon cancer cells
- Flavonoid May Help Prevent Menopausal Bone Loss
- Protective against Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
- Richest in fiber
Fruit Rating
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In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Apples
Nutrition Facts
Taken from http://www.thefruitpages.com/chartapples.shtml
Apple Raw with Skin
Nutrient | Units | Value per 100 grams of edible portion | Sample Count | Std. Error |
---|---|---|---|---|
Proximates | ||||
Water | g | 83.93 | 126 | 0.189 |
Energy | kcal | 59 | 0 | |
Energy | kj | 247 | 0 | |
Protein | g | 0.19 | 119 | 0.003 |
Total lipid (fat) | g | 0.36 | 35 | 0.039 |
Carbohydrate, by difference | g | 15.25 | 0 | |
Fiber, total dietary | g | 2.7 | 0 | |
Ash | g | 0.26 | 116 | 0.005 |
Minerals | ||||
Calcium, Ca | mg | 7 | 34 | 0.519 |
Iron, Fe | mg | 0.18 | 119 | 0.019 |
Magnesium, Mg | mg | 5 | 114 | 0.100 |
Phosphorus, P | mg | 7 | 114 | 0.232 |
Potassium, K | mg | 115 | 74 | 2.561 |
Sodium, Na | mg | 0 | 47 | 0.064 |
Zinc, Zn | mg | 0.04 | 15 | 0.007 |
Copper, Cu | mg | 0.041 | 119 | 0.002 |
Manganese, Mn | mg | 0.045 | 119 | 0.003 |
Selenium, Se | mcg | 0.3 | 7 | 0.076 |
Vitamins | ||||
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | mg | 5.7 | 25 | 0.766 |
Thiamin | mg | 0.017 | 6 | 0.000 |
Riboflavin | mg | 0.014 | 6 | 0.001 |
Niacin | mg | 0.077 | 6 | 0.028 |
Pantothenic acid | mg | 0.061 | 6 | 0.004 |
Vitamin B-6 | mg | 0.048 | 7 | 0.004 |
Folate, total | mcg | 3 | 23 | 0.611 |
Folic acid | mcg | 0 | 0 | |
Folate, food | mcg | 3 | 23 | 0.611 |
Folate, DFE | mcg_DFE | 3 | 0 | |
Vitamin B-12 | mcg | 0.00 | 0 | |
Vitamin A, IU | IU | 53 | 6 | 11.878 |
Vitamin A, RE | mcg_RE | 5 | 6 | 1.188 |
Vitamin E | mg_ATE | 0.320 | 0 | |
Tocopherol, alpha | mg | 0.32 | 0 | |
Lipids | ||||
Fatty acids, total saturated | g | 0.058 | 0 | |
4:0 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
6:0 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
8:0 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
10:0 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
12:0 | g | 0.001 | 1 | |
14:0 | g | 0.002 | 1 | |
16:0 | g | 0.048 | 4 | |
18:0 | g | 0.007 | 4 | |
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | g | 0.015 | 0 | |
16:1 undifferentiated | g | 0.001 | 1 | |
18:1 undifferentiated | g | 0.014 | 4 | |
20:1 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
22:1 undifferentiated | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | g | 0.105 | 0 | |
18:2 undifferentiated | g | 0.087 | 4 | |
18:3 undifferentiated | g | 0.018 | 4 | |
18:4 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
20:4 undifferentiated | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
20:5 n-3 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
22:5 n-3 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
22:6 n-3 | g | 0.000 | 0 | |
Cholesterol | mg | 0 | 0 | |
Phytosterols | mg | 12 | 0 | |
Amino acids | ||||
Tryptophan | g | 0.002 | 1 | |
Threonine | g | 0.007 | 2 | |
Isoleucine | g | 0.008 | 2 | |
Leucine | g | 0.012 | 2 | |
Lysine | g | 0.012 | 2 | |
Methionine | g | 0.002 | 2 | |
Cystine | g | 0.003 | 1 | |
Phenylalanine | g | 0.005 | 2 | |
Tyrosine | g | 0.004 | 2 | |
Valine | g | 0.009 | 2 | |
Arginine | g | 0.006 | 2 | |
Histidine | g | 0.003 | 2 | |
Alanine | g | 0.007 | 2 | |
Aspartic acid | g | 0.034 | 2 | |
Glutamic acid | g | 0.020 | 2 | |
Glycine | g | 0.008 | 2 | |
Proline | g | 0.007 | 2 | |
Serine | g | 0.008 | 2 | |
Other | ||||
Caffeine | mg | 0 | 0 | |
Theobromine | mg | 0 | 0 | |
USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 14 (July 2001)
(Picture is obtained from http://www.gardenwiseonline.ca/files/articles/AppleTrees_1.jpg
These fruits are like Red Berry Apple
These fruits are like Purple Custard Apple / Sugar Apple
Green Custard Apple / Sugar Apple
(Picture is obtained from http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eHOJcA0DZJw/RdNnSwCpbYI/AAAAAAAAAEw/5bOBnWlcszk/IMG_2532.jpg)
Purple Custard Apple / Sugar Apple
(Picture is obtained from http://toptropicals.com/pics/garden/2004/2/2050.jpg)
An Crab-Apple tree full of Beautiful flowers
(Picture is obtained from http://www2.rogerbiwer.com:8000/Family/slides/AppleTree1.jpg)
In the dell below Fairlawne House (Picture is obtained from http://www.ramblingshan.net/images/UKLife2006/SilviJapaneseGarden.jpg)
(Picture is obtained from http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/00/16/8b/d9/look-at-all-those-apple.jpg)
Chaubattia Garden, Ranikhet, world famous Apple garden.
References
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple
- http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=15&tname=foodspice
- http://www.ferrarifarms.com
- http://images-2.redbubble.net/img/art/size:large/view:main
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- http://www.ramblingshan.net/images/UKLife2006/SilviKentAppleTree.jpg
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- http://vegetablekingdom-capsid.blogspot.com/2008/08/17th-august-2008.html
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- http://www.koaa.com/archive/x1958146417/g1f400093eb1ec8e6e07fd88a2ceda533dfcc563cb2d816.jpg
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- http://www.freefoto.com/images/15/08/15_08_15---Apple_web.jpg
- http://www.ramblingshan.net/images/UKLife2006/AppleHarvestNrPlaxtol.jpg
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- http://www.mooseyscountrygarden.com/driveway-garden/crabapple-elm.jpg
- http://www.ferrarifarms.com/Apple%20Pictures/021_18e.jpg
- http://www.ferrarifarms.com/Apple%20Pictures/018_15e.jpg
- http://www.ferrarifarms.com/Apple%20Pictures/017_14e.jpg
- http://www.wallcoo.com/photograph/fruit_apple/images/fruit_apple_apple-tree_wallpaper_DU061.JPG
- http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/516157607_b48870d247.jpg
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- http://www.shee-eire.com/Herbs,Trees&Fungi/Trees/Apple/Photos/appleblossom04.JPG
- http://www.shee-eire.com/Herbs,Trees&Fungi/Trees/Apple/Photos/appletree01.JPG
- http://theultrarev.googlepages.com/zCrab-Apple-Tree06.jpg
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