Apples

Everybody loves apples, no doubt about it! Possibly the earliest tree that humans cultivated, the apple tree has been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe and was brought to North America by European colonists in the 17th century. There are actually more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various tastes and uses, including cooking, eating raw and cider production. Commercially popular apple cultivars are soft but crisp. Other desirable qualities in modern commercial apple breeding are a colorful skin, ease of shipping, lengthy storage ability, high yields, disease resistance and developed flavor. Plus, modern apples are generally sweeter than older cultivars, as popular tastes in apples have varied over time. All parts of the fruit, including the skin, except for the seeds, are suitable for human consumption. Besides, apples can be consumed various ways: juice, raw in salads, baked in pies and cooked into sauces.