Why Apples are the Sweetest Fruit
Apples are one of the most well-known fruits in the world, and they have been popular across cultures since ancient times. More than 5,000 years ago, apples were seen as symbols of love and fertility; today, they can be found in almost every supermarket on earth, and some varieties are even grown commercially in space stations! Despite their popularity, though, there are plenty of people who don't appreciate the great taste of apples as much as they should. You don't have to be one of them!
What makes apples so sweet?
Apples have high levels of natural sugars and acids, and when eaten, they have a syrupy texture that makes them feel sweet in your mouth. By eating an apple, you can avoid consuming sugar-loaded products such as candy or sugary drinks, which may result in weight gain. Plus, apples are perfect for almost any meal because they're available year-round at most grocery stores! If you want to try something new, grab a Granny Smith apple and top it with peanut butter for a healthy snack that tastes delicious! There are so many different kinds of apples to choose from, too - Macouns, Braeburns, and Honeycrisps. It's hard to pick just one favorite kind! In the end, what makes apples so sweet is that they are nutritious, delicious, and readily available throughout the year. So next time you're craving something sweet, reach for an apple instead of a candy bar! You'll be glad you did. They taste really good. They have a lot of flavors, unlike some other fruits. And they are also really easy to eat on the go! Not only do they taste good, but they will fill you up without feeling heavy, as some foods might do. A plus about this fruit is that there are endless recipes out there using apples. Even on Pinterest and Instagram alone, there were over 50k pins when I searched apple recipes. So what's not to love? Apples are a wonderful, sweet fruit that has lots of nutrients and amazing health benefits. These bright yellow treats are the perfect solution to that midday slump or post-workout hunger pang--apple slices pack protein and fiber to help keep you full until your next meal. When you don't need energy right away, turn those same slices into crisp homemade chips (or buy them!)—they last longer than fresh ones and provide a satisfying crunch without all the mess. But if you find yourself looking for something more substantial than just an apple, try making this hearty breakfast sandwich filled with everything from eggs to bacon--it'll hit the spot!
What do scientists say about this?
It is commonly believed that apples make you feel sweet, but interestingly enough, it is actually the food's sugar content that makes it seem so. The sweetness comes from an organic compound called sucrose which is a type of sugar and can be found in many other types of fruit such as cherries, strawberries, oranges, and blueberries. While there are many different factors that can alter an apple's taste, such as climate and ripeness, one important factor in how sweet an apple taste is its acidity. This acidity causes our brains to associate sweet flavors with sour ones. Hence why citrus fruits like lemons and limes have their signature sourness to them. Interestingly enough, some people also believe that because apples require less sugar than other fruits to achieve the same level of sweetness, they may be healthier for you than others. Studies suggest that this might not be the case, however. One study suggests
that natural sugars and proteins in whole foods, such as apples, trump any nutritional benefits derived from eating processed foods. Other studies show that although more work needs to be done on this topic, intake of certain levels of sugars in whole foods does not correlate with higher risks for obesity or diabetes when compared to eating processed foods high in sugars. Either way, these small differences between apples' inherent sweetness and other fruits don't stop people from being able to enjoy all kinds of delicious varieties throughout their lifetime! From tart to sweet, crispy to juicy, crunchy to crisp-these bites of joy come in a variety of textures and flavors. So next time you're at the grocery store perusing all the juicy options available next time check out which version has just the right amount of sweetness for your liking before making your purchase!
Some other sweet facts about apples
A lot of people believe that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and for a good reason! This delicious fruit can be incorporated into so many different recipes: pancakes, oatmeal, cereal bars, crisps, tarts, pies, and more. There are thousands of ways to cook with apples, and they each bring something new to the table. Check out this fun infographic on how apples grow all over the world to find some mouth-watering recipes that you can make in your own kitchen!
Find out what types of Apple dishes these countries prepare: Italy, France, Portugal, Brazil, Japan, the United States, and Canada.
French Toast - Pour 1⁄2 cup milk into a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, whisk together one egg and two tablespoons of sugar until smooth. Dip four slices of white bread into the milk mixture and then coat both sides in egg mixture before frying them up in butter or oil until golden brown. Serve with sugar syrup, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream for dipping!
Apple Pie - Wash 8 cups of thinly sliced Granny Smith apples (about six large apples) under cold water until clean; peel if desired (makes pie easier to slice). Cook 3 cups sugar mixed with 1⁄4 teaspoon salt over medium heat, constantly stirring until dissolved; cool slightly. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to the cooled sugar syrup and pour it over the apples. Combine 9 cups flour, 11 teaspoons baking powder, one teaspoon cinnamon, and 11/2 teaspoons salt in a bowl. Cut 12 tablespoons of chilled unsalted butter into dry ingredients using two knives or a pastry blender until combined but still crumbly. Stir in just enough buttermilk to form a dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead gently ten times. Pat dough with hands into a 12-inch round about 3/4 inch thick; cut doughnut shapes using a deep biscuit cutter dipped in flour as needed without twisting the cutter while cutting (cut hole in the center). Brush tops with melted butter. Sprinkle generously with granulated sugar. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets and bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes or until deep golden brown; remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely before filling with cream cheese frosting. Makes 24 donuts. Apple Crisp - Peel, core, and slice 7 to 8 cooking apples. Toss in a bowl with 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and spread evenly into a prepared 9x13 pan. Melt three tablespoons butter and mix with three tablespoons dark corn syrup. Drizzle evenly over the apple mixture. Crumble topping made from 2 cups rolled oats, 1/3 cup light brown sugar, pinch salt, and six tablespoons softened unsalted butter between fingers to create texture. Top evenly with topping. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until the crisp is golden brown and juices bubble around the edges of the pan; let stand 15 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.
Apple recipes from around the world
Apples are popular all over the world, and there's a good reason for that! They come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Some have soft white flesh, and others have a firmer texture with a bit of tang. No matter what variety you like best, there's an apple for you! For my money, I go with something tart-tasting like Honeycrisp or Empire. But it depends on your mood! What do you prefer? Do you go with a red one like Jonagold or wait to grab those sweet green Granny Smiths? Then there are all the other varieties: Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, and Rome Beauty. You can't get bored here! One thing is certain: There's always a perfect apple waiting for you at some point in the season when they're ripe and ready to eat! And no matter which kind you choose, their sweetness will stay with you long after the fruit is gone. Just think about how juicy and fresh a Red Delicious tastes when you bite into it. Or how crisp an Asian pear feels against your teeth as its juice starts to flow down your chin. We take these things for granted, but we shouldn't! Not only because apples taste so darn delicious, but also because they bring us joy every time we see them or smell them! How could anyone be sad while munching on such goodness? If you're looking for even more ways to enjoy this fantastic fruit, don't forget apple pies, cobblers, crisps...the list goes on and on!
Conclusion
Apples are one of the sweetest, most antioxidant-rich fruits. As a result, they're an all-around healthy fruit to incorporate into your diet. It doesn't hurt that they come in such widely different varieties and give you something new to try each season. Be adventurous and start out with something new! If it turns out not to be your favorite, don't worry. There's always another apple flavor waiting for you at the grocery store next time. So be sure to add apples to your diet, both inside and outside of fall. I hope this post has given you some insight into why apples are my favorite fruit!