Apples

From the “forbidden fruit” to “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” – apples have been in the limelight throughout human history.  The latter phrase seems to hold more truth.  Apples have proven to be a highly nutritious fruit. And, it seems that the traditional use of term apple in religion, mythology and folktalkes was really a generic term for all fruit other than berries.(1) Nevertheless, the apple tree is believed to be the earliest cultivated tree, and remains today one of the most widely cultivated – with more than 5,000 named varieties.(2)

History and Growing

The tree originated in Central Asia and spread to Europe upon the findings of Alexander the Great.(3)  Apples arrived in North America with colonists in the 1600s, where orchards were first planted near Boston and later proliferated in Washington state with the irrigation projects of the 1900’s.(4)

The apple tree is actually a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) — hence the beautiful aromatic spring-time apple blossoms of pinkish white flowers.(5)  While the fruit matures in late autumn, apples can be stored well into the winter and thus make a tasty “winter fruit.”  Indeed, winter apples stored just above freezing have been an important food for millennia.(6)

Health Benefit

The saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” comes from 19th century Wales.(7)  Modern research confirms that apples are a particularly nutritious fruit which may help in reducing the risk of colon, prostrate and lung cancer, preventing heart disease, controlling weight, lowering cholesterol and preventing cognitive decline with aging.(8)  Apples are a rich source of antioxidant compounds, which help shield us from free radicals.  Their fiber content helps regulate bowel movements and they also contain a good amount of Vitamin C. (9)

Ayurveda Perspective

Apples can be enjoyed by all mind/body types (doshas – vata, pitta, kapha). They are generally described as cooling, but take on the qualities or properties of their particular variety (i.e. sweet/heavy, astringent/light). Due to their cooling nature, they are least balancing to vata. However, if they are well cooked (stewed) and/or spiced (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, etc.) a vata can indulge all she likes. Apples are believed to be both nourishing and cleansing.  They are helpful in eliminating the excessive formation of wind and bile in the body, and useful for clearing out undigested foods and toxins (ama).  In this way, apples can help reduce signs of aching joints, sinusitis and headaches.(10)

According to Ayurveda and macrobiotics alike, we should eat fruit on its own, separate from grains and proteins. However, apples (and pears) provide an exception.(11)  Thus, apples make the perfect ingredient for sweet-savory dishes (i.e. butternut apple soup, apple chutney) and make a great complement to warm breakfast cereals (e.g sweet chai oats).

Varieties – Human Selection vs. Natural Selection

Apple varietals are often divided into three: dessert apples (sweet and juicy), cooking apples (bitter and drier), and cider apples (tart and astringent), the latter which are mainly used to make apple cider vinegar, apple cider (no alcohol), and cider (with alcohol).(12) With so many varieties it really comes down to preference, as well as what’s balancing to one’s particular mind/body constitution (i.e. vatas are more suited to sweeter/heavier varieties, and kaphas are more suited to astringent/lighter varieties).

However, the popularity and wide availability of a particular apple variety is largely a product of human selection – mainly in the interest of commercial cultivation such as high yield, thick skin for transport and storage, and outward attractiveness – regardless of their flavor.  The red delicious apple provides a perfect example.  It gained in popularity from its attractive bright red color.  Another factor in its preeminent standing was that it is preferred by growers because it has a long stem, which help allow pesticides to penetrate through the top of the fruit.(13)  I don’t know about you, but this makes me never want to eat another red delicious apple!  Another thing to watch for is waxing, which is done to non-organic apples to prevent wilting during storage and distribution. To ensure a more natural selection, choose apples that are least popular, ideally those that are organically grown by a local farmer. You’ll be surprised at how much more flavorful these “unknown” natural apples are – and you can reap the nutritious benefits of the wax-free skin.

  1. Wikipedia – Apple
  2. Matthew Biggs, Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (2009)
  3. Wikipedia – Apple
  4. Wikipedia – Apple
  5. Biggs
  6. Wikipedia – Apple
  7. Wikipedia – Apple
  8. Wikipedia – Apple
  9. Wikipedia – Apple
  10. Amadea Moringstar, Ayurvedic Cooking for Westerners (1995)
  11. Michio Kusho, The Macrobiotic Way (1993)
  12. Wikipedia – Apple
  13. Wikipedia – Apple

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