Apple Botanical Name: Malus domestica (Rosaceae)
General Description/History: See ‘Varieties’ below. A deciduous tree belonging to the rose family. Derived from Malus sieversii. Originated from Central Asion around the north-west of China and Kazakhstan. Good quality product will be firm with smooth, clean skin. Avoid fruit with any bruises or blemishes, which will result in decay spots. Flavour depends on maturity. If picked immature, there will be less colour and flavour. Over-mature fruit will be mealy and lack the crunch of a firm apple. Tart varieties (high or medium acid) with a firm texture are best for cooking. Less acidic, sweeter varieties are generally are preferred for platters, fruit salads and fresh eating. Temperature is the single most important factor limiting the growth of apples. Apples are temperate-zone crops that grow most successfully where winter temperatures are of 7°C or below. If the winter is too mild, the flower buds open over a long period in the spring, which leads to poor growth and cropping. The amount and quality of sunshine are important in apple colour formation. Good soil drainage is essential for apple tree growth as too much water reduces the oxygen available for root growth. The original home of the apple is not known, but most historians believe it to have been in the region of the Caspian Sea. The wild apples of prehistoric time were quite different from those we know today - probably only 2-5cm in diameter and very bitter. Cultivation probably started with the beginning of agriculture in Europe, and documents record methods of cultivation as far back as 2000 years ago. In Australia, the settlers who arrived with Governor Phillip with the First Fleet in 1788 planted the first apples. Early in the 19th century, large areas were planted with fruit trees, including apple trees to the south and west of Sydney. At this time John Pascoe Fawkner established a fruit tree nursery in Launceston, Tasmania and apple trees from this nursery were taken to Portland, Victoria, in 1834 and to Melbourne in 1837. Apples, known together with pears as Pome fruits, were first planted in the Stanthorpe area about 1873. Among the few Australian fruit varieties of commercial importance, Granny Smith is now one of the major apple varieties known the world over. It originated in the garden of Mrs Maria Ann Smith, in Eastwood, Sydney in about 1868. Another famous Australian bred variety is Pink Lady, bred in WA by the Department of Agriculture.
Varieties: Please click pictures to see seasonality
Braeburn	Fuji	Golden Delicious
Granny Smith	Jonathan	Lady Williams
Pink Lady	Red Delicious	Royal Gala
Sundowner	Bonza	Cox's Orange Pippen
Crofton	Democrat	Jonagold
Mutsu	Stewart Seedling	Summer Red
Jonagold Red	Vietnamese
Growing Areas: QLD - Queensland NSW - New South Wales VIC - Victoria TAS - Tasmania SA - South Australia WA - Western Australia
Preparation Videos: Fruit Platter Apple Garnishes
Nutritional Value: A good source of dietary fibre, vitamin C and the mineral, potassium. 200kJ/10Og.
Storage/Handling: 0°C and 90 -100% relative humidity. Consumer Storage: Apples keep their crispness, stay fresher longer and of course are cooler and more delicious when kept under refrigeration, especially during the warmer months.
Recipes:
Honey Baked Apples	Hot Fruity Pikelets	Ricotta Cheese Platter with Fruits and Walnuts
Seasonal Fruit and Strawberry Parfait	Apple Tarte Tatin	Baked Apples and Stewed Rhubarb
Quick Baked Apple with Ice Cream	Summer Fruit Gelée	Apple and cinnamon muffins
Grilled Pineapple, Apple and Kiwifruit with Orange Yoghurt	Ruby Pears	Rhubarb, Strawberry and Apple Nut Crumble
Apple and Lentil Salad	Fruity Dippers with Choc Fudge Sauce	Wholemeal Apple and Date Loaf
Three Fruit Dessert
Interesting Facts and Myths? "An apple is an excellent thing - until you have tried a peach." George du Maurier (1834-1896) Apples have been more effective in keeping people awake than coffee. Apparently, it is due to the natural acidity and because sugar in the apple will be slowly released in your system.