The infamous apple is found almost everywhere. In bible stories, physics books, on our phones, Ipads, computers and laptops and in sayings such as: “an Apple a day keeps the doctor away.” What a powerful fruit yet my question is do we eat as many apples as we refer to in our daily lives?
And why is the Apple selected as a symbol in so many different areas of our lives and the world? Could it be that in its simplicity it denotes strength in its raw form, versatility in the many ways it can be consumed and used in recipes, or nourishment because of its naturally occurring nutritional properties? And why I am referring to the apple in this way – well let’s delve a little further into this.
There are numerous varieties of apples around the world. Each country has its own growing and harvest season however the one thing almost all apples have in common is that you can bite right into them for that crunch most like to hear. The flavour may vary and be either sweet or tart but the strength of that bite is definitely there. The fresher the apple the louder the crunch!
Then we have the versatility factor. How many different ways can you serve an apple? As a dessert or snack on its own just the way it is. Sliced, diced or cubed and added to a variety of salads, as the sweetner for marinates or as a garnish in the raw state. And then there’s the heated version of the apples. We can bake them in desserts – not only tasty but a wonderful smell to come home to. Make it into applesauce and use it as a side or an ingredient in breakfast items like oatmeal or accompaniment to meats like pork. But I think the best way to use it is as a secret agent in baking. Simply use applesauce as a replacement for sugar and oil in a recipe and you will be surprised at how moist the finished item will be and how well received …and best of all no one needs to know that you’ve reduced the calories and improved the nutritional profile of that recipe… it’ll be our little secret…sshhhhh.
And yet as wonderful as the apple is to eat, the even more wonderful thing about it is its nutritional value. Small to medium sized apples are low in calories and are a good source of soluble fiber which helps to keep things moving thus a great snack option. Or in some cases even recommended 20 -30 minutes before a meal to curb the appetite and keep those meal portions as regular not super sized. Apples are also packed with flavanoids and there is research being done on the benefits of the flavonoids and nutrients found in apples and certain cancers.
When organizations design a logo to represent them they look for certain traits that will speak to their character. The apple is strong, versatile and a sound provider of nourishment – traits which we all need in some form or another even in our daily work and home environments. And the fact that apples grow in many different countries around the world make it a fruit we can all relate to.
Apples never seize to amaze me! They are one of Mother Nature’s most versatile fruits. They are also an example of how versatile we can make other fruits if we stop and think about their simplicity, versatility and nutritional value. So are you eating as many apples as your refer to daily?