In the News - October 2009
Every apple has a flavor all its own
TEXARKANA, Ark. - "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," or so the old
saying goes. While it may take more than an apple to keep you healthy,
researchers are finding that trace chemicals in apples help protect against
cancer. The combination of these nutritional compounds called "phytochemicals"
give fresh produce its cancer-fighting properties.
Apples of all varieties offer the same nutrition, but differ widely in
appearance, flesh characteristics, season availability, and suitability for
different uses, says Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent with the
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Varieties can be found in local supermarkets, at roadside stands, and
farmers’ markets. Here are some varieties that apple aficionados may have heard
of but never knew how to use.
Arkansas Black is aptly named with a deep black-red glassy skin, and
yellowish flesh. It is believed to originate in Benton County, Arkansas. It is
sweet and tart, and it keeps well in cold storage.
Braeburn is crisp and aromatic, and blends sweetness and tartness - making it
just right for snacks and salads, says Haley. It’s also good in baking,
applesauce and for freezing. Braeburn colors vary from greenish-gold with red
sections to nearly solid red.
Fuji’s spicy, crisp sweetness and firm flesh make it an excellent fresh
eating apple. "It’s also good in baking and is a favorite for applesauce," says
Haley. Fuji apples store well and its flavor improves like fine wine. Fuji skin
color varies from yellow-green with red highlights to very red.
Gala, a favorite for fresh eating, is crunchy, juicy and full of flavor. It
is heart-shaped with distinctive yellow-orange skin with red striping. It is an
excellent choice for snacking, works great in salads, and holds up well in
baking and in applesauce.
Golden Delicious is great as a snack or lunchbox treat, with its firm, white
flesh and sweet crisp flavor. It is the preferred all-purpose cooking apple
since it retains its shape and rich, mellow flavor when baked or cooked. "Its
skin is so tender and thin that it doesn’t require peeling for most recipes,"
says Haley. Golden Delicious is very good in salads and freezes well.
Granny Smith apples are crisp and firm with a mouth-watering tartness. Bright
green Granny Smith has a pink blush. It keeps its shape well when cooked, making
it ideal for pies, salads and even fried pies.
Jonathan is the ideal all-purpose apple, sometimes referred to as the
"old-time favorite," says Haley. It is an excellent choice for snacking, cooking
and baking. Its flavor is a unique blending of sweet and tart, and its
appearance combines light red stripes over yellow or deep red in a round, firm
package.
Red Delicious is perhaps the most popular apple. It is known for its sweet
flavor, solid red color and uniform shape. It is primarily a fresh-eating apple
and does well in salads because of its crisp texture.
Rome is the "baker’s buddy," says Haley. It is ideal for baking because of
its firm texture, mildly sweet taste and tendency to hold its shape. It makes
flavorful sauces, pies, and baked apples, and its mild flavor grows richer when
baked or sautéed. Rome apples have smooth, blazingly deep red skin with a
cream-colored sweet, slightly juicy flesh.
Winesap is the apple with old-fashioned flavor. It has a spicy, almost
wine-like flavor that’s great for cider. Violet red in color with white flesh
and a crisp texture, it’s great as a snack and in salads. "It makes an excellent
accompaniment to cheese," adds Haley.
For more information about apples and apple recipes, visit Extension’s Web
site, www.uaex.edu, or contact
your county extension agent for a free copy of Enjoy Arkansas’ Fresh.
The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
October 9, 2009
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uaex.edu
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