Apples

Fun Facts About Apples

• Apples float because 25% of their volume is air, making the classic game of apple bobbing in the fall possible.
• There are over 7,500 varieties of apples, far beyond the 3 or 4 types typically found in the produce section.
• The world's longest unbroken apple peel was over 172 feet and took almost half a day back in 1976 to peel.
• It takes about 36 medium-sized apples to produce one gallon of fresh apple cider. Add yeast to make it "hard."
• According to archaeologists, we've been eating apples for more than 8,500 years, predating many other fruits.
• "A rose by any other name...?" Apples are in the rose family, just like pears, peaches, plums and cherries.
• The world's heaviest apple was grown in Japan in 2005. This two-hander weighed 4 pounds and 1 ounce.
• Apple trees often live more than 100 years and some for 200. There's a 350 yr old in England still producing fruit.
• A medium-sized apple has around 85 calories, is naturally fat-free, and rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
• It takes 40 to 50 leaves on an apple tree to grow and ripen just one apple, much higher than most other fruits.
• Apples ripen 6 to 10 times faster at room temperature than in the refrigerator. But make sure to use the crisper!

Did you know?

According to Guinness World Records, the title for the longest apple peel goes to Kathy Wafler Madison.

It was 172 feet, 4 inches long and it took her 11 hours and 30 minutes to peel. This was back on October 16, 1976 at Long Ridge Mall in Rochester, New York.

What's even more interesting is that Kathy was only 16 years old at the time and grew up to be a sales manager for an apple tree nursery – perhaps doubly appropriate given the fact that the apple was named the official New York State fruit in the same year.