“An
apple a day keeps the doctor away
Apple in
the morning – doctor’s warning
Roast
apple at night – starves the doctor outright
Eat an
apple going to bed – knock the doctor on the head
Three
each day, seven days a week – ruddy apple, ruddy cheek”
This
poem by an unknown writer highlights the health benefits of eating apples. Apple season is here and now’s the time to
enjoy juicy, delicious, nutritious, and very portable apples. Grabbing an apple
on the go redefines the term “fast food.”
Apples
are low in calories and high in fiber, especially soluble fiber, which has been
shown to lower blood cholesterol levels.
As the poem reveals, apples can be eaten raw or cooked. Apple juice and apple cider are widely
popular and mulled cider is a fall treat!
Apples
belong to the rose family and while there are 2,500 varieties grown in the
U.S., 8 varieties account for about 80% of the apples produced in the U.S. Apples can be grown almost anywhere in the
U.S. but most are grown in the northern states. Buy local varieties, if
possible, for maximum flavor. They are
plentiful at the Farmers Markets now.
What are
your favorite varieties and what’s your favorite way to eat apples?
