One of my husband’s favorite fall foods is a caramel apple. Halloween, October 31, is National Caramel Apple Day. October is National Apple Month so be sure to pack those work or school lunches with a sweet, crispy, crunchy treat. There are more than 7500 different varieties, so you could try a different one each day for more than 20 years. Nearly 200 varieties are grown in the United States, but the top five most popular (in order) according to the U.S. Apple Association are Gala, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Granny Smith. Which one is your favorite?
The United States is the world’s third-largest producer of apples. China is number one and Turkey is number two. Apples are Idaho’s number one fruit crop. Idaho apple farmers grow at least eleven different varieties including Braeburn, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Jonagold, Jonathan, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, and Rome. You can find Idaho-grown apples at Porter Glenn Farms in Boise, Spyglass Gardens in Meridian, Back Forty Farms in Nampa, and Bowmont Happy Valley Farm in Kuna.
The saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales, around 1866, with the original version being "Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread." The current phrase became popular around 1913. While eating apples doesn’t significantly reduce the number of doctor visits, they do offer various health benefits that contribute to overall well-being.
Apples are packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants, which may help slow aging, fight cancer, and prevent chronic illness. One medium apple provides 4 grams of soluble fiber and 14% DV of immunity-boosting vitamin C. Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D., a registered dietician, notes on EatingWell.com that apples can lower cholesterol and heart disease markers. “Antioxidant compounds found in apples help prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and inhibit inflammation,” states Jennings. Frequent apple eaters have a low risk of suffering strokes. “People who eat apples may be less likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms linked to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Apple eaters have lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation whose presence in the blood suggests an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. Apples deliver an antioxidant called quercetin, which aids endurance by making oxygen more available to the lungs.”
Both nutritious and delicious, enjoy apples this autumn. Whatever form you fall for, you're in for a delightful treat.
Find recipes at idahopreferred.com/products/apple/