Apples are one of the most popular fruits. They are convenient for snacking, healthy, and easy to store. In Fall many families head out to the apple orchard to pick their own apples and try some apple cider donuts or apple pie at local harvest festivals. Check out these awesome apple facts for kids to find out more about this popular, delicious fruit.
What is an Apple?
An apple is an edible fruit. They are part of the rose family. There are over 7,500 different varieties of apples. 2,500 varieties grow in the United States. Apple varieties are usually placed in three categories: Cider Varieties, Cooking Varieties, and Desert Varieties.
What do Apples Look Like?
Apples come in a variety of sizes, tastes, and colors. They are round in shape and have a stem. Inside the colors range from white to a flesh color. Inside the center of the apple is the core. Apples have five seed pockets in the core. Each seed packet carries a different number of seeds.
Apple Colors
Apples come in a variety of shades of reds, yellows, and greens
Apple Trees
like many other trees, Apple trees love the sun and require a good amount of sunshine to grow. Have you ever went apple picking? If you have chances are you are picking apples from a dwarf apple tree. Dwarf apple trees are between 6ft-10 ft tall. Dwarf apples trees are found at most apple picking orchards. Regular apple trees are double the size, reaching heights of 20ft-30ft tall.
Apple Tree Trunk
The bark of an apple tree trunk is a grey-brown color and is rough to the touch.
Apple Tree Leaves
Each leaf on an apple tree grows on its own individual stem and no two leaves look exactly the same. They range in color from dark green to light green. Apple tree leaves range in size between 1/2 inch to 3 inches long.
Apple Tree Blossoms
Flowers on an apple tree are called apple blossoms. Apple blossoms are white and pink flowers with five petals. They bloom during Spring, between late April and early May. In order for apple blossoms to become flowers, they must cross-pollinate. When pollen from one flower moves to another the result is Cross-pollination. Bees, butterflies, and birds help with cross-pollination. Animals and insects land on a plant, after spending time at one plant, they move to other plants as a result, they spread pollen. This is how cross-pollination occurs. Once the flower is pollinated seeds develop, the apple blossoms petals fall off and the apples begin to grow.
Where do Apples Grow?
The first apple trees originated in Central Aisa. Today, apple trees grow on every continent except for Antarctica. Apple trees are not native to the U.S. They were brought to the US by colonists from the 1700s. They planted the first tree in Massachusetts. Apple trees now grow in all 50 states. Over half of all apples produced in the U.S come from Washinton, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, California, and Virginia.
Many Apple trees grow in apple orchards however, you don’t need an orchard to grow your own apple tree. You can grow a dwarf apple tree in your own yard. just remember, apple trees need to cross-pollinate to produce apples, therefore, you will need to plant two different apple trees to get apples.
Tyes of Apples
The top five apple varieties in the U.S are:
- Gala: Gala apples are a shade of red, have a mild and sweet flavor. They are great for snacking, on top of salads or to use to make sauces. Gala apples are a cross between Golden Delicious and Kidd’s Orange apples.
- Red Delicious: Red Declicious apples are red, have a mild and sweet flavor. They are great for snacking.
- Granny Smith: Granny Smith apples are green, have a tart flavor and are great for baking.
- Fuji: Fuji apples ares shades of red mixed with a little yellow. They are sweet and juciy. They are great for snacking. Fuji apples are a cross between Red Delicious and Ralls Janet apples.
- Honey Crisp: Honey Crisp apples are shades of red mixed with a little yellow.They are crisp and sweet and good for baking.
“An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away”
Ever heard of the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” I’m sure you have. Apples are full of nutrients and have many health benefits Apples contain no fat, sodium (salt) or cholesterol. The average size apple is between 80-90 calories which makes it a healthy snack. Apples contain carbohydrates, vitamin C, and potassium which make them an excellent source of natural energy. Apples contain pectin which has been known to help lower cholesterol and boron which helps make your bones strong and healthy. When eating apples, it’s best to leave the skin on, the skin of an apple is an excellent source of fiber.
Awesome Apple Facts for Kids
- Bobby for apples ia a fun Halloween party activity. Have you ever asked your self why apples and not oranges? Well, apples are 25% air which helps them float and they are easier to grab with your teeth.
- A peck of apples is about 10 1/2 pounds of apples.
- A bushel of apples is roughly 42 pounds.
- You need about 38 apples to make one gallong of apple cider.
- Apple picking has become a popular Fall family activity.
Popular Apple Desserts
Apples are loved by millions of people across the globe. Millions of people across the globe love dessert too! It would make sense that some of the most popular desserts are made with apples. Here are the top five desserts made with apples.
- Apple Pie
- Apple Turnover
- Crips and Cobblers
- Apple Dumpcake
- Apple Cider Donuts
Click the link for a Printable Apple Tree Color by Number
