The Apple
Who doesn't love apples in one form or another? Many people are fond of the apple pie form of this fruit. There are no objections to just snagging a fresh one off the tree either. Many people might be wondering, just where did the apple come from? Well, it sure didn't just appear out of nowhere to land in our ovens inside a golden brown crust.
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What Is This Thing Called an Apple?
Malus domestica, is the actual scientific name for the apple. Malus domestica describes most common types of apples. The apple is actually a fall fruit. In the spring, the flowers of the apple tree will begin to come about. The flowers on the apple tree are white and pink with five petals. When the petals fall the apples will begin to grow.
Asia is actually where the apple originated. It is a belief that apple trees actually began before other fruit trees in being cultivated for human consumption. In the early days wild apples were very small and didn't taste very good. The early Romans learned to turn this "wild child" into a type of fruit that people could eat.
The dwarf apple is credited to Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great introduced the Grecian society to these dwarf apples. When he visited Asia Minor, he brought back these apple trees. Back then apples were viewed as special treats.
When the Colonists first settled in America they brought apples. Of course, they couldn't bring the actual apple trees on the long sea voyage from England so they carried the seeds instead. Once they reached America the seeds were planted and flourished as apple seeds.
Have you ever heard the story of Johnny Appleseed? This is the most memorable story of apple cultivation. Johnny Appleseed is kind of an American folk hero. He strives to make it his life's work to bring the beauty and taste of the apple to people all across America. Wherever he traveled, he taught people how to grow apple trees and how to tend their own orchards. Thanks to Johnny Appleseed, the apple growing industry grew.
Today, there are over 7,500 varieties of apples all over the world. Apples are eaten all over the world. The apple has definitely earned a place in fruit history.
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