The apple is the oldest fruit consumed by humans, with origins dating back about 8,000 years. In Japan, cultivation began in the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Because they are highly nutritious and easy to eat, they are favored all over the world. In the West, it has been said that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It is also low in calories and good for the stomach. Since most of the fiber is in the peel, eat it with the peel.
The best time to eat them is by the color of the skin. As they ripen, the red-skinned varieties turn red, and the hollow part of the rind turns from green to yellow.
When cut, the skin turns brown because the polyphenols in the pulp have oxidized. Soaking them in salt or lemon water for a while will prevent the discoloration.
Nutrition of apples
Abundant organic acids, such as malic acid and citric acid, promote recovery from fatigue. Pectin, a soluble fiber, has a beneficial effect on intestinal regulation and cholesterol absorption.
It is also rich in polyphenols, which are expected to have antioxidant, fat-reducing, and anti-aging effects.
How to store apples
Store at low temperatures with high humidity. Put them in thin plastic bags or wrap them one by one in plastic wrap and place them in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Wrapping them in newspaper and then placing them in a plastic bag will help them keep for a longer period of time. However, be careful not to refrigerate them too much, as their aroma and sweetness will not come through.
The origin of the Japanese name is
Japanese said “Rin Go”.
The Chinese name “apple (rinchen)” is thought to have been a transposition of the Chinese names for the tree, such as rin-kin, rinki, and riu-gou. The Chinese character for apple is believed to mean a tree that attracts birds.
The sweet taste and aroma of fruits, not just apples, can attract birds, and among them, apples may have attracted birds in particular.
The 2nd character for “檎” was called “kin” in Chinese and “gong” in Wu, and the name “apple” is said to have come to be called “lingkin, lingon”, which in turn was called “ringo”.
