Apples: Perfect at any time of day

ADAM’S APPLE

Did Eve give Adam an apple in paradise? The bible doesnt mention one, only the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In the 5th century AD people began to become interested in the kind of fruit she gave him, considering the flora and geographical conditions of Asia Minor where the Garden of Eden was supposed to be they thought it could have been a fig, a grape or a citron, monks in Northern Italy, however, were convinced that the fruit was an apple. The reason for this may have been a wordplay, the Latin word malus means apple and evil and the saying was coined “ex malo malum” – evil comes from the apple.

Convincing as it sounds apples dont grow in Asia Minor, not even evil ones, its too warm there. Botanists assume that apple trees originated in the area between the Caspian and the Black Sea, they grow best in temperate countries with a cool climate and plenty of rain during the winter. Central Europe and North America are the main regions for the production of apples, but theyre now also grown in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America – in the months when weve got winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Internationally, apples are the most widely cultivated tree fruit, several hundred varieties for eating, cooking and cider making are grown; charred remains of apples found in prehistoric dwellings prove that humankind has been eating apples for at least 750,000 years and they are deeply embedded in our folklore, remember Snow White? Lets have a look at what makes this fruit so outstanding and what one can do besides just biting into it.

Many people are content with just biting into a fresh apple provided it doesnt come from an orchard where pesticides are used, its a crunchy, refreshing and healthy snack. Depending on the kind of apple youve got the taste varies between honey sweet and spicy tart. Theyre high in fibre, vitamin C and potassium, low in sodium and almost fat free. The ancients who coined the phrase An apple a day keeps the doctor away only observed what good eating apples did, thanks to modern scientific methods we now know precisely what good it does.

Ive learnt from my research on the net that the soluble and the insoluble fibres can decrease the cholesterol level, reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, heart disease and stroke, they help to keep blood sugar levels stable. They are cancer-protective since they relieve constipation and send potentially toxic substances out with