That crisp weather that signals fall in many parts of the country also signals that apples are in season.
Grown in every U.S. state, it's easy to get your hands on a basket of local apples at your favorite store or farmers' market. Here are some tips. Knowing these things can help you get the most out of the season's apple bounty.
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How to Choose Apples
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Where Should I Get My Apples?
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Pick Your Own Apples
Many farms open their orchards now for pick-your-own apples, which makes for a fun activity.
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Use Seconds for Baking
At farmers' markets, ask for bruised fruit discounts for canning apples or baking lots of pies. (This is the perfect thing to do with your own extra apples, too!)
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Apples Can Have Lots of Pesticide
Conventionally grown apples have more pesticide residues on the than any other fruit—buy organic apples.
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Apple Orchards are Good for the Environment
Apple tree flowers need bees to pollinate them to turn into apples; supporting organic apple farmers supports bee populations.
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What Kind of Apple Should I Get?
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Explore Exotic Apples
Keep your eyes open for interesting apple varieties, such as Arkansas Black, Grimes Golden, and heirloom varieties like Wolf River and Ashmead's Kernel.
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There Are Thousands of Varieties
7,500 varieties of apples are grown around the world.
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Compare Notes
Buy a selection of apple varieties and have an apple-tasting party for a fun fall event.
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How to Store Apples
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Where Should I Keep My Apples?
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Store Apples in a Cool Place
Apples prefer it cool, so store them in the basement or fridge.
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Apples Ripen When Left Alone
Apples ripen 10 times faster at room temperature than if they're stored in a cool basement or refrigerator.
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How Long Can I Keep Apples?
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Apples Will Keep For Months
You can store apples for months in a cool basement. Wrap them individually in paper (if they touch, they can rot) and place in a lidded cardboard box in a cool, but not freezing, location.
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You Can Freeze Apples
Got extra apples on hand but not enough time to can? Try freezing sliced apples.
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Compare Notes
Buy a selection of apple varieties and have an apple-tasting party for a fun fall event.
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Health Benefits of Apples
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Apple Nutrition Facts
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Apples Are High in Fiber
One medium apple contains 4.4 grams of fiber—that's 17 percent of the recommended daily intake.
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Apples Are Packed with Vitamin C
An apple contains about 13 percent of your recommended daily vitamin C.
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Other Benefits
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Apples May Fight Cancer
Apples contain disease-fighting chemicals called phytochemicals that may prevent the risk of cancer.
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Apples Can Be Good For Your Heart
A large body of research shows that regular apple consumption can prevent risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Apples Help with Blood Sugar
Flavonoids found in apples can slow down carbohydrate production, thus helping to regulate blood sugar levels.
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