In Greek mythology, the Greek hero Heracles, as a part of his Twelve Labors, was required to travel to the Garden of the Hesperides and pick the golden apples off the Tree of Life growing at its center. My grandmother always said - an apple a day, keeps the doctor away. So, let's look at apples and how we can us them.
The apple tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found today. Apples have been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were brought to North America by European colonists. About 69 million tons of apples were grown worldwide in 2010. China produced almost half of this total. The United States is the second-leading producer. With more than 6% of world production. In the United States, more than 60% of all the apples sold commercially are grown in Washington State.
Apples are often eaten raw. Apples can be canned or juiced. They are made into apple juice, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, or distilled into various alcoholic beverages. Apples are an important ingredient in many desserts, such as apple pie, apple crumble, apple crisp, or apple cake. They are often eaten baked, stewed or dried to eat later. Puréed apples are applesauce. Apples are also made into apple butter, apple jelly, and apple pancakes.
Have you tried the Apple Pie a la Mode Shake recipe on page 2 or the Fruit Shake recipe on page 19 in Flavorful
Fortified Food – Recipes to Enrich Life? If not, try them today and see if an apple a day will keep the doctor away!