5 Fun Facts About Apples

Crisp, sweet and juicy, apples are a produce staple in the fall. This season, make sure to visit your local Sparkle and shop the wide assortment of Ohio varieties that are in season right now! In the meantime, here’s five fun facts about the crowd-favorite fruit.

An Apple a Day…

Rich in antioxidants, flavonoids and dietary fiber, apples truly do keep the doctor away. Several studies have shown that eating apples may benefit your neurological health, reducing the risk of dementia. Apples are also believed to reduce risk of stroke and lower bad cholesterol levels.

 

Johnny Appleseed Really Did Exist

Believe it or not, Johnny Appleseed, the man credited for planting apple trees on foot, was actually a real man named John Chapman. Born in Massachusetts in 1774, John spent his life traveling (yes, on foot) through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana where he planted cider apple trees. He was known for his remarkable physical endurance, wilderness skills and iconic bag of apple seeds.

 

Apples Can Float

It’s probably not a surprise that apples can float (think: bobbing for apples), but did you know that it’s because an apple’s volume is about 25% air?

 

There are Thousands of Varieties

Although we carry quite a few apple varieties at Sparkle, it would be impossible to carry them all. Why? There’s over 2,500 varieties grown in the United States and more than 7,500 varieties grown worldwide! The top apples grown in the United States are Red Delicious, Gala and Golden Delicious. Try them in our recipe for Apple & Cheddar Burgers.

 

A Bushel Weighs 42 Pounds

A bushel of apples (about 125), weighs in at about 42 pounds – or the weight of an average 5-year-old boy. A bushel of apples is also enough to make 15 quarts of applesauce, or 15 apple pies. An average apple tree will yield about 20 bushels (that’s 2,500!) in one harvest season.

 

Now that you’re an apple expert, head to your local Sparkle Market for all the fresh (many Ohio-grown) apples you need this fall season. Then, eat them as a snack, bake them in desserts or add them to your sandwiches!