Apples are a fruit of the family Rosaceae, the genus apple.
Apples are a sweet and sour fruit, but that is not their only appeal. Nutritional value is another attraction of apples. Apples contain potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and polyphenols. They are so rich in nutrients that it is said, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
It is said that apples were first cultivated in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912).
There are approximately 2,000 varieties of apples grown in Japan.
The Roots of the Apple
The apple came to Japan from China. Most of the tools for the varieties grown today were brought from the U.S. in the early Meiji period. The apple is a fruit so loved by countries around the world that international conferences are held regularly around the world.
Nutrition and Benefits of Apples
Pectin, a soluble fiber found in abundance in apples, promotes digestion and balances stomach acidity. This is why apples are said to be good for constipation and diarrhea. Pectin is also reported to be effective in preventing allergic diseases.
In addition, catechin, a type of polyphenol contained in apples, has antioxidant properties and is expected to prevent high blood pressure, cancer, and aging. Quercetin, another type of polyphenol, is also believed to be effective in preventing arteriosclerosis and cancer.
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”.
