Apples are one of the most popular, flavorful and
healthful fruits grown in the world. Three-fourths of
America’s population, both young and old, name
apples as one of their favorite fruits for snacking. They are
also great with meals. Apples and processed apple foods are
a great way to help children get the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, for their better health.
Apple growing is an important industry in America. The
state of Washington ranks first in the number of bushels
grown, followed by New York, Michigan, California and
many other states. Worldwide, the United States ranks second
to the People’s Republic of China in apple production.
The first U.S. apple trees were planted by pilgrims in the
Massachusetts Bay Colony. In the early 1800s John
Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, traveled across
the Ohio Valley carrying bags of apple seeds. As he ventured
westward, he planted seeds and grew apple trees wherever he
roamed to ensure that settlers living in the Western frontier
would have nutritious apples to eat.
Today, the science of apple growing is called pomology.
Over the years, many people have worked together to refine
methods to produce the best tasting, best-formed apples possible. It takes about four to five years for apple trees to produce their first fruit. Apple trees are grown on farms, better
known as apple orchards. In spring apple trees blossom with
fragrant, sweet-smelling white flowers. When the blossoms
fall off the pollinated flowers, baby apples begin to grow in
their place.
The apple crop is harvested in the fall, when the apples
are fully grown and ripened. The nation’s apple crop is picked
from the trees by hand, then washed, packed and delivered by
refrigerated trains and trucks to markets and grocery stores, or
made into apple juice, apple cider, apple butter, applesauce
and other nutritious apple foods.
About 2,500 varieties of apples are grown throughout the
United States. The top 10 apple varieties are: Red Delicious,
Golden Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith, Rome, McIntosh,
York, Idared and Jonathan.
Apples and children go together naturally. We hope you
find these ideas helpful in teaching your students about nutritious, delicious, versatile apples, and the apple industry.
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