APPLES!

In honor of the fall harvest season and the abundance of MORE types of apples available to us this time of year, here is some info to tickle your brain about America's favorite fruit!

Archeologists have found evidence that humans have been enjoying apples since at least 6500 B.C. and they are thought to have originated in an area between the Caspin and Black Sea.
Planting an apple seed from a particular apple will not product a tree of that same variety. The seed is a cross of the tree the fruit was grown on and the variety that was the cross pollinator.
Apples are a member of the rose family and it takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple.
Apples have five seed pockets, or carpels and each pocket contains seeds. The number of seeds per carpel is determined by the vigor and health of the plant, and also the variety.

TOP 5 APPLE PRODUCING COUNTRIES
#1 China #2 European Union #3 United States
#4 Turkey #5 Russia

TOP 5 APPLE PRODUCING STATES
#1 Washington #2 New York #3 Michigan
#4 Pennsylvania #5 California

TOP 5 VARIETIES GROWN IN THE U.S.

#1 Red Delicious
Features a deep red skin with a sweeter flavored flesh.

#2 Gala
Features medium size, yellow/bright orange-red skin & firm, juicy, fine texture, sweet & slightly tart flavor.

#3 Golden Delicious
Features golden yellow skin with firm, crisp, juicy flavorful flesh that is mild and sweet.

#4 Granny Smith
Green skin with crisp and tart flesh.

#5 Fuji
Features yellowish/green skin w/orangish/red stripes. Crisp, juicy, slightly subacid flesh, great texture.