The Core of the Matter - Apples and Herbal Add-Ins

a. core apple facts

One small apple provides more than 17% of the daily recommended amount of fiber and nearly 14% daily vitamin C. While the myriad of antioxidant polyphenols in an apple might indeed keep the doctor away, they're also responsible for the oxidation that causes apple flesh to turn brown when exposed to the air.

Apples must be handled with care. Otherwise, the same polyphenols that trigger oxidation when the fruit is cut or bruised also promote the production and release of ethylene gas. This effect gave rise to the cautionary instruction, "don't upset the apple cart." It also validates the assertion that "one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch."

Of more than 10,000 possible varieties of apple, only 20 are commercially grown in the U.S. Some of the most popular include: Granny Smith, Cortland, McIntosh, Delicious, Rome Beauty, York Imperial, Winesap and Jonathan.

According to Celtic folklore, apples are a symbol of fertility, love and abundance. Apples are also used for divination by "snapping" for apples, or what most of us know as bobbing for apples. The game, originally played exclusively by young boys and men, involved either diving into a vessel of water to retrieve an apple with the teeth or to "snap" with same at an apple dangling from a string. The first lucky guy to sport an apple grin was certain to marry his true love.

A is for apple, and malusdomesticaphobia is the fear of anything to do with them. How 'bout them apples?

In the early 20th century, apple pie was a favorite dessert to follow Sunday dinner. The cost of lard and flour, however, kept many families from enjoying a pie made with a bottom and a top crust—so they made pie with only a bottom crust. More affluent families, who could afford both, were referred to as members of "the upper crust."

apple crumb muffins
Moist and rich on the inside with a crunchy, sweet topping on top, these muffins are perfect with breakfast or as a lunchbox treat. Makes about a dozen large muffins.
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apple pie soup
This is a classic slow cooker recipe that tastes as good as it sounds. It's easy to make too...as easy as pie!
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autumn apple pie
Apples, dried apricots, cherries and ground almonds come together in Sun-Maid's Autumn Apple Pie recipe for a nutrient-rich twist on traditional apple pie.
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