The Guinness World Records reports that the heaviest apple on record weighed 4 lb 1 oz and was grown in Hirosaki city, Japan in 2005. That's one BIG apple!
We didn't find any apples that big when we went apple picking at a Linvilla Orchards, but we we still left with over 15 pounds of apples to enjoy in the weeks to come. Before we went apple picking, I found some helpful tips from Pickyourown.org that I wanted to share with you:
- After you pick your apples, don't throw the apples into the basket. You need to place them gently, or they will bruise and go bad more quickly.
- If you want to help prevent your apples from spoiling, don't wash apples untiljust before using them.
- If you bought way too many apples to eat right away, feel free to share with friends. Any extra apples should be kept cool either in a refrigerator or a cool, dark spot where they won’t freeze.
- Use care when picking apples. It's okay to give the apple a little twist, but don't pull straight away from the tree.
- Don't shake the trees or branches. And, remember to pick up any apples off the ground that may fall when you're trying to pick it.
- Apples are cholesterol and fat free, high in dietary fiber, Vitamin A and niacin. They are low in calories - one-half cup of apples is only 42 calories!
- Apples are high in antioxidants which help fight aging, cancer and heart disease.
- According to Wikipedia, the apple tree originated in Western Asia, where its wild ancestor, the Alma, is still found today. Most of the apples grown in the world come from China.
This is a great time to head to an orchard or a fun fall festival with your family. Check out the Best Blogs for Local Fun to find something in your area. If you don't see anything there, you can go to PickYourOwn.com to find an apple orchard near you!
Happy apple eating!