Fall is here, and the season not only delivers crisp autumn air but also crisp autumn treats. Just in time for the change of seasons, here are a few fun facts about the nutritious and delicious fall staple.

Apple Facts

• The crabapple is the only apple native to North America.
• Two pounds of apples make one 9-inch pie.
• 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States.
• 7,500 varieties of apples are grown throughout the world.
• 100 varieties of apples are grown commercially in the United States.
• Apples are fat, sodium, and cholesterol free.
• A medium apple is about 80 calories.
• Apples are a great source of the fiber pectin. One apple has five grams of fiber.
• The pilgrims planted the first United States apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
• The science of apple growing is called pomology.
• Apple trees take four to five years to produce their first fruit.
• Most apples are still picked by hand in the fall.
• The apple tree originated in an area between the Caspian and the Black Sea.
• Apples were the favorite fruit of ancient Greeks and Romans.
• Apples are a member of the rose family.
• Charred apples have been found in prehistoric dwellings in Switzerland.
• It takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple.
• Apples are the second most valuable fruit grown in the United States. Oranges are first.
• In 1730, the first apple nursery was opened in Flushing, New York.
• One of George Washington's hobbies was pruning his apple trees.
• Apples ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated.
• Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C.
• It takes about 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider.
• Apples account for 50 percent of the world's deciduous fruit tree production.
• Don't peel your apple. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in the peel. Antioxidants help to reduce damage to cells, which can trigger some diseases.
• The top apple producing states are Washington, New York, Michigan,Pennsylvania, California and Virginia.
• Almost one out of every four apples harvested in the United States is exported.
• The apple variety ‘Red Delicious' is the most widely grown in the United States with 62 million bushels harvested in 2005.
• Many apples after harvesting and cleaning have commercial grade wax applied. Waxes are made from natural ingredients.

Source: University of Illinois Apple Facts.

Choosing the Best Apple

Thanks to recipetips.com we have a chart below that can be used as a quick reference when deciding which apple will be best for your particular needs. You can find the full post here: http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--1299/all-about-apples.asp