One apple a day keeps the doctor away! How much truth is in this old saying? Apples are indeed know as one of the most healthy food items worldwide. Growing on apple trees in all modest climate zones, the desirable fruits are full of vitamins and micronutrients, being robust against parasites and easy to harvest and store. With its botanical name „malus domestica“, the orchard apple is one of our oldest staple foods of the world.

Origin and Mythology

Apples originate from Central Asia already 6000 years ago. They were traded in the Kasachstan city of Almaty, which means „city of apples“. Via the old silk road theese desirable fruit was introduced into Europe. In pre-christian, pagan mythology, apples are symbols of eternal youth, immortality, fertility and fruitfulness. During colonisation, the apple was brought to America. New York is well known as the „Big Apple“ because you might make your fortune, rather than being known for healthy living.

Nature conversation

Today, in northern caucasian mountains, there are still huge orchard apple forests, which are under nature conservation. There, no pesticides and chemical fertilizers are permitted. These wild apple orchards are one of our world cultural heritages.

Nutritional and medicinal value

Why are apples so healthy? In traditional medicine, they are used for promoting digestion, easing constipation same as diarrhoe. They are an important component of our daily nutrition because they contain important key nutrients, like fibre, vitamin c and antioxidants. Modern medical studies show that apples may lower blood sugar levels, high cholesterol and the risk of getting heart disease or cancer. At the same time, they protect the brain. So maybe all the myths about eternal youth and immortality are quite true.

In Europe, apples are harvested between late summer and late autumn, and are stored throughout the year. But they will loose nutrients and vitamin c, increasing in sugar, being stored over many months.