The Malus Domestica (commonly known as apple) is one of the most cultivated fruits around the world, with approximately 55 million tones grown worldwide last year. Originated in Central Asia, in southern Kazakhstan, there are more than 7,500 types of apples today, each of them with it’s unique characteristics. The apple tree, believed to be one of the earliest to be cultivated, can reach 12 meters in height. It’s crown is large and dense and the leaves are ovaly shaped with a pointing tip.

The tree can have between 40 to 200 kilograms of fruit. When kept in specially designed rooms in a regulated atmosphere (high concentrations of carbon dioxide) the apples can stay fresh for several months, otherwise kept at home in low temperature (around 5 Celsius degrees) it can last for about two weeks or more depending on the type.

Apples are used for a series of drinks such as:

• apple juice, obtained by maceration and pressing. It can be clarified by centrifugal for a clearer aspect. Consumed mostly by children, it contains vitamin C, added in the process, boron that helps the bones, polyphenols that protect from diseases caused by ageing. It also improves the memory due to the increase of acetylcholine in the brain;
• cider, obtained by the fermentation of apple juice. It is filtered and then pasteurized. Contains between 3% – 8.5% alcohol. Is mostly popular in the United Kingdom (with over 600 million liters produced per year), Ireland, France, Spain and in certain regions of Germany. It has a high concentration of phenolics and antioxidants that can be helpful in the prevention of heart disease and cancer;
• vinegar, obtained by fermentation of ethanol. It is used in food preparation, for salads, picklings, vinaigrettes, sauces, mayonnaise, marinades. In medical use it can reduce the risk of fatal heart disease, it reduces the glycemic index of carbohydrate food for the diabetics;
• apple brandy, distilled from special fruit;
• apple wine

Apples are also used for a variety of desserts:

• apple pie, or tart pie has it’s filling with fresh, canned or dried apples, depending on one’s taste.
• crumble, has stewed apples topped with a mixture of butter, flour and sugar
• cake, the fruits are sliced and added to the base cake. Other traditional cakes, such as dorset apple cake and somerset apple cake, may include juices
• sauce, obtained by cooking and then smashing the apples to form a fine texture. Cinnamon or sugar can be added. It is usually served along with the main dish. Also it is easily eaten by babies due to it’s soft texture and not needing chewing. It can be used against diarrhea because it has high levels of pectin
• apple butter, is a high concentration of apple sauce, obtained by slow cooking of apples, adding water or cider, until the sugar in the apples caramelizes. It has a deep brown color, and can be kept long due to the high concentration of sugar that preserves it.
• candy apple, obtained by covering the apples with heated sugar syrup, caramel or chocolate that cools to form a hard cover. They are served with a stick in the middle to make it easier to hold and eat

Apples are known to minimize the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer. The fiber in apples helps with heart disease and reduces cholesterol.

Apples contain quercetin, a phenolic phytochemical that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, epicatechin, that is said to reduce the risk of stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes, and procyanidin.

Fruit facts summary:

• clears your teeth, strengthens the gums
• makes the cholesterol level drop, preventing you from being overweight
• clears the toxins in your body
• has antiviral properties
• helps digestion
• prevents constipation
• contains fibers
• strengthens your bones
• helps with the asthma
• prevents Alzheimer’s disease
• prevents lung, breast, colon and liver cancer
• is healthier than chocolate or other sweets, while satisfying our need for sugar
• helps to reduce weigh