It's Apple Time! America's Favorite Fruit is in Season

Apple Recipes, Facts and Links! It's All Good and Healthy

It's that time of year when apples are plentiful and are priced their lowest in the year. Amazingly there are over 5000 varieties of apples! But your local grocery store will probably carry closer to a dozen types that are most popular and readily available in the United States. Apples are relatively careless when it comes to growing conditions, and this is why they grow easily in many parts of the world. Lucky for us, because apples are not only healthy, but they are one of America's most beloved fruits. This is the time of year to take advantage of all those luscious beautiful apples which can be eaten raw, juiced, baked, and many other ways! Even the most tart of apples make good apple pies, so get out and buy a bunch of apples and bright up your counter with a basket full and get cooking! From apple sauce to apple cider to apple butter to countless desserts and breakfast ideas, make yourself feel like a kid again with the excitement of exploring the world of apples.

The most popular apples you are likely to find in your local market are Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, McIntosh, Cortland, Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn. For a guide to the most popular apple varieties, including a gallery of pictures, visit

http://www.usapple.org/consumers/appleguide/guide.cfm#gingergold

The average Americans eats about 20 pounds of apples each year or about 65 fresh apples every year. If you eat raw apples, it is best not to peel them because more than two thirds of the fiber and antioxidants are found in the apple peel.

Apples are crispy, tasty and always handy to grab and eat. Apples are known to aid in weight loss and reduce cancer and blood pressure risks. Apples are a key ingredient to having a healthy diet. They also brighten your teeth and help you breathe easier!