Apples Tips & Facts

• Look for firm apples, free of wrinkles and bruises.
• Remove any fruit that are overripe or have soft spots because they give off ethylene gas causing nearby apples to ripen too quickly and spoil. Trim and use for pies or applesauce.
• Store small amounts in their original plastic bag in the refrigerator where they will keep for up to one month.
• Larger quantities should be kept in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place such as a garage or fruit cellar. Cover loosely with plastic to keep humidity in the apple container.
• One medium apple contains about 80 calories and is a good source of fibre and Vitamin C.

• Apples existed as a wild fruit since prehistoric times and have been cultivated for more than 3,000 years. The ancient Greeks, Etruscans, Romans and Egyptians were among its early cultivators.
• During the California Gold Rush apples sometimes fetched more than $100 a bushel because of their versatility, durability and capacity to be preserved by drying.
• The apple tree now grows (in thousands of varieties) in almost every corner of the globe -- from Japan to Madagascar to South Africa, New Zealand, Russia, China, England, France and across much of North America.