Seasonal Produce: Apples

You are the apple of my eye! Apples are the OG seasonal produce used in the kitchen when in season. Read all about the fall and winter fruit, its nutritional value and get some delicious recipe ideas.

Seasonal Produce: Apples

Apples are a mainstay in my meal plan. I love to eat them just raw for a snack, with oatmeal for breakfast and in all kinds of desserts that do this luscious fruit some justice. Apples are the most popular fruit in Austria and most of the other western countries. The crunchy and bright-coloured produce can be sweet or sour and varies in taste.

Types of apples

The seasonal fruit is as abundant as it gets when it comes to the number of types that exist. First spotted around the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, it has spread across all continents over thousands of years. Today, more than 20.000 (!) types of exist, with about 20 types being sold the most in supermarkets. Pretty impressing, right?

Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France and Italy produce most of the apples exported into the world. Living in Austria, I primarily want to talk about the types most popular here:

• Golden Delicious
• Gala
• Granny Smith
• Elstar
• Jonagold
• Kronprinz Rudolf
• Fuji
• Topaz

Why are apples so healthy?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Well, that saying might be an exaggeration, but not for nothing apples are often named when talking about healthy food. The fruit has an array of health benefits.

Apples are a great source of vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system. Because they are high in soluble fiber and water, they are filling while being low in calories. Not for nothing, apples are often recommended as THE fruit to promote a healthy gut and incorporate into your meal plan if you want to lose weight.

Because apples contain a high amount of soluble fiber, they can also help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Moreover, chewing an apple promotes gum health because it stimulates the production of salvia. More salvia means lower levels of bacteria in the mouth, which can prevent tooth decay.

Read more about the health benefits of this delicious seasonal fruit here.

What to cook with apples

The nutritious fruit is a healthy and delicious snack to eat during the day and a hot tip when travelling. Just throw it in your bag and have a nutritious snack on hand when the hunger strikes. Mostly eaten with their skin on, apples should be washed thoroughly with water before eating. Look for organic fruits when buying them.

Apples are a versatile ingredient. They are delicious in classic desserts like strudel, cakes and pies as well as compote and juice. Apple juice is one of the most popular fruit juices here. There is a South Tyrolian apple juice manufacturer I have to mention when talking about apple juice. Kohl Mountain Apple Juice produces natural juice from different types. The trees are grown in the surrounding area of the local business and bred with special care regarding the surrounding environment. I love their juices and am always surprised by how versatile in taste this fruit is when drinking them.

Moreover, apples are also a delight in savoury dishes. Try to incorporate them in crunchy salads or make a spicy chutney out of the seasonal fruit.

Apple recipes you’ll love