Cherry Hadinata

Apples Apples – Introduction : Everybody loves apples, no doubt about it! Possibly the earliest tree that humans cultivated, the apple tree has been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe and was brought to North America by European colonists in the 17th century. There are actually more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range of desired characteristics. Different cultivars are bred for various tastes and uses, including cooking, eating raw and cider production. Commercially popular apple cultivars are soft but crisp. Other desirable qualities in modern commercial apple breeding are a colorful skin, ease of shipping, lengthy storage ability, high yields, disease resistance and developed flavor. Plus, modern apples are generally sweeter than older cultivars, as popular tastes in apples have varied over time. All parts of the fruit, including the skin, except for the seeds, are suitable for human consumption. Besides, apples can be consumed various ways: juice, raw in salads, baked in pies and cooked into sauces. Red Apples: Apples – Fuji Apples Fuji apples are medium to large in size, and have a thick skin that is light red with a yellow blush, and is oftentimes lined with red vertical stripes. The Fuji’s interior creamy white flesh is dense, juicy, and crisp. Low in acid, the flavor is mild yet very sweet with hints of both honey and citrus. These apples contain Vitamins A and C, as well trace amounts of folate and potassium. They are also a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which has been shown to help prevent heart disease and promote healthy digestion. Besides, a medium-sized Fuji apple contains about 80 calories and is high in both water and sugar. The thick skin and dense flesh of the Fuji apple holds up extremely well when cooked, and that is why these apples can be roasted, baked, sauteed and boiled down into sauce. You can add slices of Fuji apples atop pizza or layer them inside a quiche, or chop and slow cook chunks of Fuji apple to make jams and soups. Apples – Gala Apples One Gala apple could be just the perfect treat for ya ! When you take into consideration its beautifully yellow-striped red skin along with its delightfully crisp texture and sweet flavor, that’s exactly what you get – A perfect treat ! Besides, one medium Gala apple can provide you with a nice amount of your daily needs of vitamins A and C, and Iron. The delicate flavor and texture of this apple shines in fresh preparations. It is perfect for use in fruit, green and chopped salads. You can, for instance, add diced gala to fruit salsas, or slice and add it to burgers and paninis . Besides, Gala's sweet flavor becomes milder when cooked making it perfect in baked preparations when paired with stronger flavored apples such a Granny Smith, Arkansas Black, Pippin and Mutsu. Apples – Red Delicious Apples Red Delicious remains one of the most popular apple cultivars in the United States due to many factors like, for instance, its captivating shape which pretty much resembles a heart, its bright red skin, crunchy texture , and last but not least, its mildly sweet flavor, which makes it stand out as a special ingredient in salads. It is worth mentioning that Red Delicious is a rich source of vitamins B, C and E. Besides, these apples are best used in fresh preparations, as their flesh does not hold up well when cooked. You can add them to green or fruit salads, or use them as an edible garnish on sandwiches, quesadillas and burgers. Since their flesh breaks down easily, these apples can be successfully slow cooked and pureed to make sauces and for soups. Apples – Honeycrisp The name alone is enough to make you drool! Honeycrisp apples, which were first introduced to market in 1991, are one of the sweetest varieties of apples available today. They are amazingly crisp and juicy and have a beautifully bright-red skin specked with pale green. They are indeed an excellent source of fiber, and can serve as an amazing addition in many recipes like salads, pies, sauces, and baked goods. In fact, these apples maintain their sweet flavor even when cooked. You can remove the skin and slow cook the apple slices to make applesauce and apple butter. In addition, their crisp texture does in fact shine in raw preparations as well. So, you can dice and add them to coleslaw and chopped salads or slice them thin and then add them to sandwiches and burgers. Apples – Cripps Pink Cripps Pink is unquestionably an amazing variety of apples, particularly known for its unique sweet-tart flavor and firm, crisp texture which in turn appeals to that crunch-loving side of us . These apples' richness in vitamins C, A, Calcim and Iron is yet another outstanding characteristic. Cripps Pink apple has a great flavor and texture for eating fresh. It is great for salads and fruit trays, as well as eating out of hand. This apple also makes a good apple to cook into sauces and pies because of its high sugar content. Besides, Cripps Pinks store very well, and can be kept for three months or more under proper conditions; their flavor is actually enhanced by a month's storage. Apples – Autumn Glory This crunchy « bad boy » is what your body secretly asks for when you crave something sweet and juicy ! There's in fact more to it than just its juiciness – Autumn Glory apples have a cinnamony taste that’s distinctly redolent of a baked apple pie. Nutrition-wise, they contain plenty of fiber, as well as Vitamin C, potassium and boron . The crisp and juicy texture of an Autumn Glory can be enjoyed fresh out-of-hand or cooked. These apples are especially delicious in baked goods. You can make a sweet applesauce or add diced apples to garden or fruit salads. Apples – Ambrosia This glossy, conically-shaped apple, which is typically available in the fall, is a great source of fiber along with vitamins A and C, which makes it the go-to option for people who want something that lowers their cholesterol level or aids them in digestion. As far as food is concerned, Ambrosia apples will complement both sweet and savory preparations. They will add sweetness to cakes, doughnuts and muffins. They also hold their shape and flavor when cooked, making them perfect for pies, tarts and baked apples. Slow to brown when cut, Ambrosia apples are indeed perfect for use in raw preparations. You can slice them thin and serve them with sharp cheese, or layer these slices atop a burger or simply add them to fresh salads. Apples – Cameo Cameo's creamy, dense flesh is the definition of awesomeness, especially when combined with the fact that this apple is typically resistant to browning when cut. It is also sodium and cholesterol free and rich in soluble fiber, which has been shown to promote a healthy cardiovascular system, not to mention that Cameo apples also contain a fair amount of potassium and vitamin C as well as some iron, vitamin A and calcium. So, basically, one could talk for hours about the magical effect of these benefits when put together in the form of a Cameo apple. You can, of course, snack on one of these apples, or simply add them in salads, baking, beverages and pies. Apples – Envy Well, aside from the outstanding fact that Envy apple doesn’t brown as quickly as other apple varieties, its ruby red skin and crisp, sweet white flesh can make anyone fall in love after the first bite! One medium apple has less than 100 calories, along with 17% of the daily recommended value of dietary fiber and 14% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C. Envy apples are a delicious addition in salads, baked goods, and they can also be your most favorite snack.