Seasons/Availability
Granny Smith Apples are available year round from Washington State. California supplies are available mid-August through June.
Current Facts
The U.S. Apple Association reports that apples are grown in every state in the continental United States and are grown commercially in 36 states. Washington State, New York, Michigan, California, Pennsylvania and Virginia are the leading producers.
Description/Taste
A beautiful bright green, popular Granny Smith apples are very juicy and very firm. Their flavor is pleasantly tart-sweet.
Nutritional Value
An apple has no cholesterol and contains pectin, a fiber that may actually work to reduce the body's cholesterol level. Pectin also slows glucose metabolism in diabetics. Apples contain potassium, which may reduce the chances of a stroke, plus have boron, believed to build bones and to increase mental vitality. Apples offer a small amount of vitamin A and vitamin C and have only a trace of sodium and fat. An average-size apple contains about 80 calories. Unpeeled apples provide the most nutritional benefits. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Researchers at Yale University claim that the scent of apples has a relaxing effect. Tests conducted showed a significant calming response when sniffing an apple spice fragrance. When stressed, simply indulge in a mug of mulled apple cider and a piece of warm, freshly baked apple pie to alleviate anxiety! Considered by some to be America's first environmentalist, our own Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman in 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts, wandered with pioneers heading west along the Ohio River, now the states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. As Johnny spread his gospel, he planted apple orchards from apple seeds he acquired from a cider mill in northern Pennsylvania. After his death in 1847, Johnny Appleseed became a well-known character in frontier folklore. Folklore says he dressed in a coffee-sack shirt, wore a tin-pot hat and was barefoot. Probably, however, Johnny was just a man who loved the simple life--and simply loved tasty apples.
Geography/History
A very popular apple, an apple-loving lady living in Australia is credited with the development of this exceptional variety in 1860. Cultivated for more than one hundred forty years and named in honor of Maria Ana (Granny) Smith, this apple's accidental beginning was the result of crab apple seeds that somehow found their way into her garden. After much tender loving care, these apples came to be and are one of today's biggest sellers in the apple market. Having its origins in Australia, this apple remains a celebrated fruit in that country. Every October, a grand festival in this renowned apple's honor is held in Sydney, Australia, commemorating the works of Maria Ana (Granny Smith) and truly the apple of Australia's eye. This fine apple matures six weeks after Red Delicious. Granny Smith apples are grown locally at Julian, California.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
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