The crunchy temptation that belongs in every fruit bowl
Apple cake, apple sauce or apple strudel – homemade apple treats are always popular. In its raw state the apple is a healthy and filling option.
The apple is the most popular fruit in Switzerland – approximately 60,000 tons of apples are bought and consumed each year. Even in paradise the apple was considered irresistible. The tree that Adam and Eve ate from, the tree of knowledge, was an apple tree. Most apples in the supermarket are domestically cultivated, but the apple is not originally a Swiss fruit. Apple trees originally grew in West and Central Asia, in the region that is now known as Kazakhstan, where the crunchy round fruit was already consumed 10,000 BC, before spreading to Europe via trade routes.
Class |
Apples |
Calories |
54 kcal per 100g |
Nutrients |
11.4g carbohydrates, 10.3g sugar, 2.1g fibre, 0.3g fat, 0.3g protein per 100 g |
Season |
August to May (for domestically grown fruit) |
Storage |
store at room temperature, in the fruit and vegetable drawer of the fridge or in the cellar |
Shelf life |
10 days to several months |
The apple tree is a stone fruit plant, botanically classed as part of the rose family. Its leaves are deciduous and its pink or white fragrant, five-petalled flowers bloom from the end of April to the end of May in Switzerland. The flower axis then develops into an apple over the course of summer. Most apples produced in Switzerland are from the canton of Thurgau, which is known for its fruit cultivation.
If you picked up some apples during the weekly shop and want to use them soon you can easily store them in a fruit bowl at room temperature. Other types of fruit, like banana, should be kept safely at a slight distance because apples emit ethylene as they ripen. This gas causes other fruit to ripen and mould quicker. Stone fruit lasts significantly longer in the fridge, or individually wrapped in paper and stored in a wooden box in the cellar.
Make sure that the apples you want to store don’t have any mould and aren’t lying on top of each other in the box, as dents can cause the fruit to mould quicker. Potatoes and apples should never be stored together, as the gas that they emit negatively affect how long both can keep. Ideal conditions for apples are 2 to 4°C in relatively high humidity. Under these conditions apples can stay fresh and juicy for months.
Can’t store your apples for long periods of time and need to use them up fast? Even better! There are countless ways to bake or cook with apples. Aside from the classic apple cake, apple crumble has been growing in popularity for years. To make it, bake raw apple that is seasoned with cinnamon and vanilla and covered in a layer of flour, butter and sugar crumble in the oven. Crumbles are usually enjoyed as a warm dessert, either with vanilla sauce or vanilla ice cream.
Sugar and heat are ideal methods to keep apples from going off, either as apple sauce or jam. Used this way, apple tastes just as good alone as it does with other fruits, like currants for example. Alternatively, you can dry apples to preserve them. Pips removed and cut into thin slices, they can be dried using either a dehydrator, an oven or even simply air. Drying apples in the oven takes 4 to 5 hours at 60°C.
Apples are low calorie, but thanks to their relatively high fructose content they still supply you with a lot of energy and provide a lasting feeling of satisfaction due to the fibre pectin. Apples are also rich in minerals and vitamins, giving rise to the popular saying: “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Potassium is particularly prominent and supports muscle as well as nerve function. Some types of apple, like Braeburn apples, are rich in vitamin C, which supports the immune system. Furthermore, apples contain polyphenols, secondary plant substances that have a positive effect on health. To really enjoy all the health benefits an apple has to offer consume it with peel – most of the nutrients are directly underneath it.
To survive the winter, storable varieties of apple were once an essential source of vitamins. The Glockenapfel variety is harvested in autumn like other apples, but only develops its optimum ripe flavour during storage. It is a classic example of an apple variety that lasts until the coming spring, remains firm and tasty and retains its attractive appearance for a good while.
The Glockenapfel variety has been found in Switzerland since the mid-19th century. Its origins are unknown but it was probably a chance seedling. Although the Glockenapfel variety was once a popular commercial variety, the cultivation area today consists mainly of overmature trees and is in extreme decline.
If you like sour varieties of apple, you should definitely try the Glockenapfel. It can be used in a range of ways and stays compact, firm and aromatic when cooked or baked. With its bell-like shape, colour (yellow, sometimes with a slight pink blush) and acidic taste, the variety definitely stands out from standard types of apple.
The Goldparmäne variety of apple was already well-known in the Middle Ages and was considered an ideal and valuable top variety for centuries. It came from England via France to Switzerland where it was first cultivated in the Canton of Zurich around 1850.
Goldparmäne apples are golden-yellow with an attractive patterning of red flames, stripes or faded hues. If you enjoy eating apples raw, you will love this variety with its typically nutty flavour. But Goldparmäne apples also make delicious apple purée with a creamy, velvety texture.
RELATED TAGS
MyFooby Login
You must log in to your MyFooby account to save recipes. Still no account? Register now!
Log in with Supercard IDNo Supercard ID yet?
The Supercard ID is the unique login for all of Coop’s digital services.
Register for Supercard IDChoose a cookbook
Like this recipe?
ith myFooby, you can not only access your saved recipes on all your devices, but also save interesting stories and helpful cooking instructions and easily refer back to them.
L'article te plait ?
ith myFooby, you can not only access your saved recipes on all your devices, but also save interesting stories and helpful cooking instructions and easily refer back to them.
Do you want to remove this recipe?
Do you want to delete the recipe permanently and remove it from all cookbooks?
Supprimer l'article complètement ?
Do you really want to delete this article from your cookbook?
Successfully saved!
Saving failed!
Please log in!
Log on now – easily and conveniently – to FOOBY with your Supercard ID, save the shopping list on all your devices and benefit from additional advantages.
The recipe has been saved in your shopping list under myFOOBY.
Unfortunately, the shopping list was not saved.
Like this recipe?
Now you can user your Supercard ID to log in to FOOBY easily and conveniently and make use of all the functions and advantages.
Choose a cookbook:
L'article te plait ?
ith myFooby, you can not only access your saved recipes on all your devices, but also save interesting stories and helpful cooking instructions and easily refer back to them.
Supprimer l'article complètement ?
Do you really want to delete this article from your cookbook?
Remove recipe?
Do you really want to remove this recipe from the cookbook?
Delete the entire recipe?
Do you really want to delete this recipe from your cookbook?
Successfully saved!
Like this recipe?
Log in with your Supercard ID to have access to a cookbook with your favourite recipes from all your devices.
L'article te plait ?
ith myFooby, you can not only access your saved recipes on all your devices, but also save interesting stories and helpful cooking instructions and easily refer back to them.
