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| Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco |
| What you do with your apples will help you decide which variety is best for you. |
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. … We’ve all heard that old saying, and chances are, you’ve probably said it, as well. So, exactly what do apples offer us in the health department? There’ve been numerous reports that detail better health when apples are part of a daily diet. Recent studies claim that apples can lower blood cholesterol and improve bowel function. Research also says apples may reduce the risk of stroke, prostate cancer, type II diabetes and asthma. That’s more than enough reason for me to enjoy an apple a day!
But there are so many varieties, and such little time. In fact, if you ate a different variety of apple every day, you’d be eating apples for the next 18-plus years! It’s reported that there are more than 7,500 varieties of apples in the world. Of course, finding every one of them would be your greatest challenge. So to keep things simple, let’s look at some easy-to-find favorites and learn why we love them. If A is for Apple, then let’s take an alphabetical look at some popular apple varieties across the USA: Cortland: This mild-flavored apple is excellent for fresh eating and salads because the flesh is slow to oxidize (brown). It’s a good candidate for sauce and pies. Crispin(formerly Mutsu): For a number of years, this juicy, crisp apple has had a bit of an identity crisis. Renamed in the mid 1980’s, some still call it “Mutsu,” but pomologists correctly refer to it as “Crispin.” This multipurpose apple can be used for fresh eating, but it’s also great for salads, pies, sauce and baking. Empire: New York State introduced this apple, and it’s a personal favorite of mine. This fruit is excellent for fresh eating (it’s great in lunch boxes or as a snack) and salads. It’s also good for pies and sauce. Another reason it’s such a hit with me: It stores well, so I can enjoy it for many weeks after harvest. And did I mention how yummy sliced Empires are when dipped in melted caramel or peanut butter?
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