Fruitful ways we can all mark National Apple Day
Take a bite out of favourite fruit – there are thousands of varieties to pick from
National Apple Day falls on October 21. It is an event dedicated entirely to celebrating all things apple - pie, sauce, crisp, bobbing ... the list goes on. The day reminds us to appreciate the apple in its myriad forms.
Pick out your favorite variety and celebrate with apple lovers across the world.
There are plenty of types to pick from. In fact there are 7,500 different varieties of apple grown across the globe.
These include Bramley, Cox, Fuji, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gala, Jazz, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Braeburn and Empire.
Studies have shown earliest known wild apple trees cropped up in regions of central Asia anywhere between 10 and 20 million years ago.
Although initially their flavour skewed toward sour, apple trees would evolve to produce sweeter fruits.
The apple would eventually spread to Europe as early as the 17th century BC.
Some historians believe it was during this time the Roman populus cultivated and developed the apple into larger, sweeter, more edible fruits we are familiar with today.
Since then the apple has found its way to the forefront of parts of consciousness – the apple of your eye, as American as apple pie, Big Apple that is New York and “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away” reminding us apples are good for us.
Apple Day was created by Common Ground charity on October 21 1990 in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of diversity in different communities.
National Apple Day facts
1607
The American apple arrives. Colonists arrive at Jamestown with European apple seedlings and begin to plant and harvest apples.
Early 1800s
John Eastman – Johnny Appleseed – travels throughout the Midwest of America in an effort to plant numerous apple trees and educate farmers on proper apple crop care
1854
The British Pomological Association begins testing new varieties of apples to determine best suitability for English farmers.
1962
Astronaut John Glenn becomes first American to orbit the Earth, tubes of apple sauce served as part of his interstellar diet.
1960s
Apple growers in the United States began using controlled atmosphere facilities to maintain freshness of apples until the fruits are brought to market.
2010
Newly discovered scientific facts make apple-breeding process considerably faster and more accurate.
2017
Worldwide apple production reaches staggering total of 83,139,326 metric tonnes.
2021
China is top producer of apples with 44 million tonnes produced annually. China, USA and Poland are top three countries producing apples.
Celebrate by ...
Eating an apple
The clear and obvious choice. Make today the day to keep the doctor away and enjoy a crisp and juicy apple.
Planting an apple tree
Do some preparation for next year’s National Apple Day by planting an apple tree in your garden. Your future self will thank you.
Sharing “Apple Love”
Not everyone may be aware of National Apple Day. Help spread the seeds of awareness by sharing apples with friends, family, even strangers. Everyone loves a good apple!