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Call for questions: APPLES! (Patreon)

Published:
2023-09-25 18:08:12
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Do you have apple questions? I bet you do. I'm talking to a world-renowned Pomologist tomorrow and I have a feeling we'll never look at these forbidden fruits the same. 

Let those questions rip, my friends. 

One a day,

Ol' Ward

Comments

RJ Doidge

Why does one bad one spoil the bunch?? Also: hybrid apples! Elaborate!

Audrey Pearson

Why are they called Red Delicious when they are mealy and gross?

Shirley-Luz Enombo

What is your least favorite apple variety, and why is it red delicious? (The texture! Why?!)

Derek Peloquin

What's the deal with cartoon worms being drawn in apples? Do worms even eat apples?

Rayna

Whats the difference between apple juice and apple cider? Why is apple cider associated with the holidays but apple juice is a year-round affair?

Beau Jarvis

What’s the tastiest apple?

Destiny Lam

Do I really have to worry about worms in my apples?

Samantha McGarrigle

Why do some apples have a grainy texture inside while others are have a crisper texture?

Allie Brown

How do hybrid apple trees exist? Can one tree really make multiple varieties? How?!?

Gracie Zrain

Best apples for hard ciders, personal opinion or not!

beth clarke

What is your favourite name of an apple (cos of its name, rather than taste!)

Anna Eeeee

why are granny smith apples so good in pie

Kari Henke

Are some varieties more healthy than others? What’s the best way for me to store them? Where do the tastiest apples come from?

Samantha McGarrigle

What are some tips for growing apple trees, that actually produce fruit, in your backyard?

Paul Smith

Casey Clapp (dendrologist) notoriously hates Apple Trees. Do you think you could take him in 1v1 combat?

corvidthey

This. The people deserve to know.

Lee Wang

Is there a trick to picking juicy AND crisp apples at the supermarket? I've had a very bad run lately where the ones that I buy end up mealy.

BigHighFive

I need to know more about the original Granny Smith tree. Are they all really from the original Granny Smith tree? What is the oldest record notating the existence of apples? Do they describe anything like what we have today?

Abbey

What can I do with crabapples? It makes me sad to see them on the ground, too many for even the squirrels!

Cian verbridge

Where did the story of Jonny apple seed come from.

Eric Chant

Im from the west country in England... Cider is "every day is a celebration" drink here 😜

corvidthey

Who is Granny Smith?

Anna Eeeee

were the different apple varieties bred by humans or are they naturally occurring?

Anna Thompson

Has the Ologist ever been hunting for "lost" apple varieties?

Destiny Lam

Should we be eating the core of our apples???

Cian verbridge

What did the original Apple look like

Emily Staw-fur

My science teacher in middle school used an apple to represent a uterus and I cannot remember exactly how she made a comparison between the two but is this accurate in any way?

corvidthey

Can we talk about Johnny Appleseed?

Patrick Duffy

First time asker! When did people first start fermenting apples for cider? What is the origin of the poison apple? Is it snow white, or does it predate that?

Naar

Where did the big dark red snow white apples go? i feel like when i was a kid i always got loads of those perfect apples at farmers markets but now i haven’t seen them in absolutely years- i mean the sort of really big and long red apples

BigHighFive

And I’m hoping for not the Bible as the oldest record.

Sydney Koenig

I grew up in Yakima, Washington, and became completely snobby when it comes to apples because they’re SO good there. One of my favorite fall traditional was found to apple squeezes, basically giant parties to make apple cider! Most people knew someone who had a vintage Apple press, and it was just the best time. If there’s any history to Apple squeezes I would love to know about it, whether it’s the invention of the press itself, the party atmosphere, agricultural influences, etc. So excited for this episode!

Lauren Hurlburt

Do you think the apple orchard burnings during prohibition was a travesty?

Emily Staw-fur

What makes various apples good for different uses? Sugar content? Texture?

Hope J 🏳️‍🌈

How genetically different are “regular” apple compared to hybrids? Where are apples native to?

Anna Eeeee

a friend of mine picked a wild apple and found maggots in them while eating it, is there a good way to test wild apples before eating them?

Kpelliss

Welcome back Dad Ward! I hope an apple a day will keep your bod & brain rested......How long can an apple tree live? (Mine seems to be dying after 25 years, limbs dying, looks like a fungus on under the bark)

Maren Prophit

What is up with the Honeycrisp fad?

Kary Forth

How many cross breeding attempts does it take to come up with a new Apple worth promoting? I noticed a “new” Apple in the grocery store last week & thought back on hearing that planting your own seeds isn’t likely to get you a decent tree/fruit. What’s involved, how many years does it take from state to finish?

corvidthey

Why is it called the Big Apple?

Rayna

Interesting! Ive heard of it being a beer like angry orchard and other hard ciders but like… technically its hard apple juice 🤨😂

corvidthey

How much cyanide is in apple seeds and were apple seeds specifically ever used for poisoning?

Kristin 🦦

What is your favorite apple variety, for eating, baking, and/or juicing? Do you lament the decrease in varieties in the markets, especially local varietals? I grew up and live in northern California; are there apple festivals like the Gravenstein festival in Sonoma county? Why do we give apples to teachers?

Yuri

Are tart apples more nutritious? Does breeding (cloning) for taste reduce nutrition? Why are apple seeds so random in what you get, and is this pretty unusual in the plant kingdom?

Emily Staw-fur

Is there actually a risk if you eat the core?

Kpelliss

Best apple for eating vs best apple for cooking?

aedy miller

Any new apples coming down the pipeline you’re excited about? And was the two decades of development worth it for Cosmic Crisp?

Natalie Murphy

Ive heard there is cyanide in apple seeds and that can be harmful for my duck buddies that I give my cores to. I always remove the seeds anyways, but I’m curious if cyanide is common in other fruit seeds too.

Kate Oldham

Where are most apples grown?

JENN 'Benthopelagic squirrel' ALVAREZ

Is it true that the apples are picked at the same time, then stored for months before getting to the store? How much do you love the Robert Frost poem "After Apple-Picking "?

Jenna Breiner

Almost all of my international friends swear that American apples don’t taste as good. What is it with our produce that makes it taste different than in most other countries?

Paul Smith

Okay now my serious question: have you gotten to name your own cultivar, and if not what would you name a new cultivar if you got the chance?

Maren Prophit

If (bit if) it is true that apple trees can only grown by propogation, then what was Johnny Appleseed up to?

Sydney Koenig

Also I’m a first time question asker!!

Theresa Carey

What are the newer varieties coming to market? I love Honeycrisp apples. Which varieties went into making that type of apple? (First time questioner.)

Jamie

Why are apples so dang good?!? I mean, seriously. Why?!?

Jonathan Auyer

We bought a house with a beautiful, old apple tree in the backyard. We have no idea about the variety, but is there a resource to help figure out an apple's variety (asking for both myself and anyone who happens upon a random apple tree).

MissKitti

What’s the deal with Gravenstein apples? Why do the only grow near Sebastopol, Northern California?

Joey Zweig

Came here to ask a… similar question

Chris Curious

What is the apple's closest wild relative?

Abigail MacKinnon

While picking apples the farmer mentioned they picked up the less than steller apples and used them for juices and other bases. What's the process to ensure these apples are safe to eat?

Neal Sorensen

Here in Minnesota a lot of apple varieties are created. There's one new apple I LOVE, called B-51 or Sugarbee. So few orchards grow them, so how long does it take for a new variety to go from being bred to showing up in markets?

Mariko

Chill hours: how much do they matter for home gardeners (I live in a warmish place) and does climate change mean that our apple-growing zones are moving?

Joel Henderson

When I was a kid we used to get these apples called Gravenstein. Ever come across them? Haven’t seen on in many a year.

Sophie Philpott

Why do worms like apples soooo much? (Q from 8 year old son, Rowan)

Robert G Audet

With a focus on sweeter and better storing apples, are we decreasing the nutritional content in favor of sweetness? Are there any apple “breeders” or apple varieties that have a higher nutrition profile? Love all you are doing and who you are, Alie. Keep up the great work!

Nina Giacobbe

Is it true that older styles are softer because people had crappy teeth back in the day?

Katie D

Is the "golden apple" of mythology really just a quince?

Matthew Winn

Why is Minnesota so good at developing the best apples?

Brenna Pixley

Can you eat the seeds or cook applesauce with them if you are going to get them out later?

Anna Epps

Apples hurt my husband’s tummy. Why? Anything to prevent a tummy ache?

Brenna Pixley

Are crab apples native to the the North American region or other place was wel

Naar

favourite mythology/folklore associated with apples? :)

BolognaShoes

Can you explain how high-density apple growing works? There are farms all over northern Michigan with apple orchards that look like vineyards and I just can't understand how the trees work.

Anne

I heard that Red Delicious’s have been bread for colour recently and that has affected the taste. Is that true or do we like Red Delicious’s less because we’re spoiled with yummier apples?

Naar

also where did the association of the ‘forbidden fruit’ in the bible as an apple come from?

Brenna Pixley

Also who/what makes the best hard cider????

Pascal Perron

Do apples really not have any nutritional values and are now just too big for apple trees to support? Asking for Casey Clapp

Sharon Rietveld

Why are red delicious apples literally the worst apple and why are they always on a cafeteria lunch tray?

Robin F.

How do people breed (if that’s the right word) new kinds of apples? What’s a hybrid? What’s the deal with patenting apples?

Mimz

Do apple trees have to be grafted? I grew up on an apple farm and my Dad says he only grew grafted trees and that wild trees don't produce good apples. How can this be?!

Elisabeth Westner

A recent episode of the Sporkful just discussed a new apple variety (Cosmic Crisp) but also talked a little bit about the red delicious and how it may have actually gotten less delicious over the years because of (reasons). Do you know anything about this and if so, can you explain it to us?

Sharon Rietveld

I grew up in Hawaii and my grandpa used to bring me mountain apples. I now live in Wisconsin and cannot find them anywhere. What was it that I ate when I was younger? Did my grandpa trick me?

EffortlesslyWeird

What is the best way to keep all of the worms and bugs out of apples? What is the best organic non-toxic pesticide? Tell us everything you know about medlars, because a friend of mine has two trees and doesn't know what to do with the fruit. How closely are medlars related to apples? Are there different varieties of medlars? Why Did English people call them open cat asses and French people call them open dog asses? And what exactly can you do with a medlar except watch it rot or use it in gothic medieval Guillermo Del Toro style flower arrangements? I would love to hear a response to the tree ologist that said apples are completely useless because those seem like fighting words 😄

Nichole Helton

When my daughter was 3 years old, I gave her a whole apple to eat as a snack. Thinking nothing of it, I left her to munch on it while I took care of something else. A short time later she came up asking for another one. I said sure, where's the core? She looked at me dumbfounded, and thats when I noticed she ate the entire apple. My husband was worried about the seeds she ate, saying they are toxic. I had never heard of this. So my question is, Are these really Toxic? If so, how many seeds can you eat and still be ok?

Trace

Why are red delicious so terrible? Mealy, flavorless, is it only bred for longer shelf life?

Donoiw

Is there a place I can buy a wide variety of appleseeds? I want to use a t-shirt cannon and fire them into my backyard and see what grows.

Kyla Murphy

As an adult, I developed a sensitivity to apples (hives, swelling throat) and stone fruits. I know a number of other people that this has happened to. But my understanding is that this is not a true allergy and may be related to a birch allergy. Can you explain?

RoadLesTravelled

There was an apple tree where I grew up (Berkshire County, Massachusetts) that provided sweetly tart apples about the size of tennis balls. What impact does soil nutrition / acidity play in tartness?

Nichole Helton

PS. My daughter was just fine. Not even a tummy ache

VibesandMoods

Does the phrase "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" have any historical source or was it more a fun rhyme to get kids eating fruit?

BatRachy

What makes for a great apple season? My parents (West Cumbria, UK) have a number of 30-40 year old apples trees, mainly crab apples and cooking apples, which this year have had the biggest crop ever. Branches literally bowed to the ground and some breaking off under the size and weight of soooo many apples! They are in the temperate rainforest area of England, with a lot of rain all year round. They had a heatwave last summer, followed by weeks of never getting above 0 degrees C in winter, but warm(ish) and very rainy this year. None of us know what has made all the trees quite so abundant this year compared to any other. Is it just the extreme weather?!

Darren Bush

Why do the wild apples growing in the dog park taste like dryness? They're so astringent and it seems like there's no fructose anywhere to be found.

Rachel

How and why did we take a poisonous fruit and make it edible???

Dianna Patreon

What distinguishes an apple from a crabapple?

Megan Lynch

How many universities still offer Pomology (per se...not just general Plant Science) as a major?

Rachel Cannon

Yes! Please ask about different varieties and why certain ones seem to go away and others (Cox's orange pippins) only exist in certain areas. What gives? Also what is, officially, the best pie apple? 🥧

Kelsey lore

Why do fairy tales use a poisoned apple? Are there apples that are poisonous?

Jennifer McDavid

Why are some apples so mealy and gross (looking at you Red not Delicious) and some so crisp and sweet and delightful (Pink Lady and Honeycrisp are the best!)?

Nancy Ervin

What is the buzz about bees? I have heard conflicting reports about a lack of bees to pollinate our fruit trees. I recently read that some bee species are in trouble but there are plenty of commercial honey bees. Do apple growers have access to enough healthy bees to keep their trees happy?

James Nance

I never ate the seeds growing up because I heard that they had arsenic in them. Is that flim flam?

Alycia king

Where does the ‘Apple a day keeps the doctor away’ come from

Brenna Quirk

is it true that you have to graft apples instead of growing from seed if you want a nice juicy modern apple? and do they use crab apple trees as a base for grafting?

Alycia king

I heard that all apple seeds are mutants and you can grow a Granny Smith tree from a red delicious seeds? How, why, is there any way for me to grow a tasty apple tree from seed?!

BatRachy

Apple traditions! What's your favourite and why? I grew up near Egremont, UK where they hold the Crab Fair each year, which has been running since 1267. (sorry if this question appeared twice, I posted a similar one but it then just... disappeared!)

Nancy Ervin

Can you talk about the importance of Genetic Engineering (i.e. the Arctic Apple) and how GE differs from GMO?

BatRachy

Ohhh great question! My boyfriend has this. Only developed in his 30s - he was told it was something to do with the pollen/spores of the flowering plants where the fruit comes from... but no one seemed 100% sure.

Nora Bartley

What is your favorite apple and why is it Macintosh?

AtoBtoL

Can she talk about the apple breed the “winter banana”? Like it’s origin. I grew up on a very old farmstead in Vermont and one of the oldest tress on our property (we have 30 of all different kinds) was a winter banana!

Nora Bartley

Do you think we will ever again bob for apples in a post-Covid world? Who started that in the first place?

Anika's Cat Arya

Why has the apple become such a ubiquitous symbol in society of all fruits (health, school, garden of eden, gravity, mac, to name a few)? Does the pomologist have any good recipe to use up apples in the fall?

Chandler Witherington

#1: What's your favorite type of apple? Mine is the limbertwig, which leads me to questions #2: I've been told that limbertwigs are an "heirloom" apple type from North Carolina (where I live). Are heirloom apples a real thing? What does it even mean to be an heirloom apple??

Amber Uhlhorn

I would love to hear about the why's and how's of apples producing on a two year cycle instead of annually.

Lily

How can apple growers be better environmental stewards when it comes to supporting native pollinator health? I know a lot of operations will bring in hives to supplement pollination, but then they also will apply chemicals to "thin" the crop for the best fruit set, and that this application can be harmful to pollinators. Just curious if there are any best practices or movements in the industry to be better. (Im a Horticulture Nerd)

Nathan Howard

How prevalent is genetic modification (beyond just selective breeding) in modern day apple growing?

Kathryn Knopinski

Are apples really from Kazakhstan? Have you visited the wild apple forests? What do the wild apples taste like?

Cate Muenker

What's the best way to keep apples for several weeks? Do you know why Honeycrisp apples are so freakin' expensive at the grocery store? Living in CT, I've never seen a Pizazz, Cameo, Ambrosia, Winesap or Gravenstein apples in my area- where are they grown? Is there any new variety of apple that is good for pies? I've always been curious about apple trees (looking very spooky in winter) and how long it takes to mature into a full grown fruit-bearing tree and what happens to old trees-do they have a life span for fruit? do farmers keep the trunk and graft new varieties to hasten their maturity?

Feye

Is one a day enough?

Isabelle Newman

How many species (types?) of apples are there!?

Aileen Lands

Any truth to the “apple seeds are poisonous” thing?

Cade Curtis

whats your favorite apple and why is it cosmic crisp

Nathan Howard

Are new types of apples actively being created? Will honey crisp ever be displaced as the best type of apple?

Paulina Krasińska-Sroka

Where I live, apple cider is a fermented drink with alcohol in it. Are there any other kinds of cider? 😮

Emily Schemily

1.) Where can the greatest genetic diversity in apples be found? 2.) The Kingston Black trees at a cidery/orchard in my area just stopped this year. Just stopped. All of them. Why? The other varietals are fine. Why did the apple gods forsake this delicious apple?

Super_Sara

What’s the worst kind of apple, and why is it red delicious? JK JK

Super_Sara

What is the original apple that others were bred from?

Cynthia

Which state grows the most apples/apple varieties? I live in MN and people are “apple crazy” here (in the best way) 🍎

Paul Hoffman

"Don't eat apples that have fallen to the ground". Why?

Super_Sara

Thinking about the word “apple”, why are apple and potato in French basically the same word? Pomme and pomme du terre? Apples and potatoes are not related somehow, correct?

Sydonie S.

What new hybrid apple types/flavors can we expect in the future?

Kathryn Knopinski

Not to pre-empt our expert, but I do know that Jane Grigson’s cookbooks “English Food” and “Fruits” both have recipes for medlar jelly. It’s also featured in a cookbook called “The Book of Difficult Fruit: Arguments for the Tart, Tender, and Unruly” which has another jelly recipe and a syrup recipe. I definitely want to know more about the open asses thing which seems quite ominous.

Sylvia Scharf

Can you explain (succinctly) why apple genetics are so weird and yet we can also say, "this apple is a cross between x and y"? Bc apple genetics are bonkers.

Alli Findlay

Fire blight, how does it occur, how can we fight it? How does it spread? How long until we can replant apples in same soil?

Cinnamon

I am a relatively new (3years) owner of a small orchard, that came with my acreage, that has about 12 apple trees. One of my trees only produces sour sour apples. The apples are large and beautiful, crisp and juicy and the tree is healthy. I can’t figure out why the apples are so sour and is there a way this can be fixed? Is it the soil or other conditions? PS: I don’t know what kind of apple it is but it’s about the same size or larger as a pink lady.

Catherine Parker Edmonson

Let's discuss FODMAPs and apples... Would love to hear why granny smith apples aggravate the gut less? Thanks!

Valerie

I love apples but after I eat one, I'm always hungrier than I was before. Why is that? I've heard eating one with peanut butter can help with that but I'm sadly not a fan of that combo. Anything else I could try?

Kate Prengaman

OMG who is your pomologist?!?! I’m the editor of a magazine devoted to commercial fruit production and I am excited to see who you interview. If I knew who it is I could think of some really good questions - but that is kind of like cheating. I think a really interesting question to ask them is why Honeycrisp is so expensive because the answer really reveals a lot about how the apple industry works today. Also. Ask them how modern apple production differs from the TREEs of apples people think of or see when they visit a nostalgic pick your own farm. (Hint/bonus question: what are dwarfing rootstocks and why are all the other fruit trees jealous!!!)

Rachel McPherson

Do we today have anything equivalent to the first apple varieties from Central Asia, the ones transplanted across Britain by the Romans, the ones brought to the Americas by European settlers, etc.? Or have they all become more hybridized?

Emily

Should I grow apples in my backyard? Where can I find out the best types to grow? What are the best ways to store homegrown apples? Also why isn’t apple tasting a thing like wine tasting? Can we make that happen

Super_Sara

That is UNAPPEALING!

Levin Dotimas

Who named Red Delicious? Bc it’s def not delicious

Kate Prengaman

I could go on and on so I am trying to temper my enthusiasm but I also think another really good science question is: how do we have US-grown apples in the grocery store all year if we only harvest them in the fall? And how are some varieties still so good almost a whole year later???

Rayna

I live in the southern US and we have hard cider but apple cider is a different thing — apple cider is sold by the half gallon usually and there’s no alcohol 🤷🏻‍♀️

Brittany Peek

Why is it that some apples are mealy and not so sweet?

Andrew Insch

and why is Red Delicious my favorite apple? Possibly most polarizing apple variety?

Jazmine Jackson

What are the genetic differences between crab apples and other apples? Is there a difference or are crab apples just more common and easy to grow? I live in DC and there are a lot of crab apple trees around. Are they really called crab apples or is that just the general name for “non orchard” apples?

Popita

Is there a good way to make an apple last longer and not become mealy so fast? What are good long lasting crispness varieties?

Trevor Hagedorn

How do we get all of the different apple varieties? And what makes each type taste different?

Jazmine Jackson

What actually contributes to making an apple crunchy vs soft, sweet vs tart?

Renee Wanger

Omg yesssssss!!!! Renee (first timer) What is a good (or many good) books to learn more about the magic of apples?! I'm a pie maker and I'm low-key obsessed with apple pie and all the wonderful flavors I can mix up. So I guess also what's your favorite apple pie as a bonus question (for you too 😀)

Jazmine Jackson

What new apples in process of being created? How long does it typically take for a new apple to be in stores? Also, The Sporkful also just did a show on apples. I’m not sure who the guest was but I think it would be cool to link that show in the show notes.

Ellie Frances

I’m from Washington state and apples are big here! What are the perfect circumstances to grow apples? Weather? Soil?

Lynn Perry

Fact or film-flam: I heard apples were really expensive in countries like Japan, and that an entire family will gather to share one apple.

Lena Gwen

What are the differences in apples over the world?

Paulina Krasińska-Sroka

Commercial honey bees aren't able to sustain ALL the growth of many different plants we need and want. Not to mention that they're not free to roam wherever so are useless for any wildlife. Various bee species are in trouble in nature - counting in commercial, monocultural hives would be like counting all the hundreds of pandas in the zoos and declaring that this animal isn't endangered, even if in natural habitat there would be only 5 of them.

Julia

Why am I somewhat allergic to some raw apples and not to some others and also cooked and baked seems to be fine?! Also, I’m a doctor and you’re not keeping me away :) (ftqa :)

Paulina Krasińska-Sroka

Is it true you can grow different varieties of apples from the same tree? I heard somewhere that all you need is a pollinator bringing pollen from other species. How come then old tree my grandparents had in their yard kept giving White Transparent year after year, even though it was surrounded by trees of other variety?

Morgan Abernathy

Why are there no honeycrisps amongst the many many varieties of apples in my store the last few weeks??? Am I alone? Is this a coincidence? Temporary supply chain issue? Patent trouble?! Fire? Help! I need to know if there is a conspiracy lol *FTQA

Sarah

As someone who lived in Japan, I can dispel this as sort of flim-flam. Apples are more expensive there than here, but they're definitely not the most expensive fruit you could indulge in. This combined with the fact that they're sold when actually ripe means that a lot of apples at the store are the size of grapefruits and meant for sharing. Entire families don't gather to share apples like it's some kind of event (it's really not that special), but it's understood that apples are just too big to eat on your own, so it's a fruit for sharing.

Jared

What's the big deal with Honey Crisp apples? Why are they so popular?

Alexandre Catulle

How come pink lady is ok to eat for people who are allergic to apples? Most surprisingly good use of apples ?

Yogo Mel

Why are apples the chicken of fruit? “Want to sweeten something? Add apple juice! Want to make baked goods more moist without the fat of oils? Add applesauce!” Fruit treats and fruit juices overwhelmingly have apples/juice as the first ingredient—why are apples so versatile?

Fiona Nieuwoudt

Is it true that all apples only have 5 seeds? I heard it somewhere but struggle to cut it open properly to check...

Paulina Krasińska-Sroka

What happened to White Transparent variety of apple (called papierówki where I'm from - Poland)?! They used to be everywhere 20 years ago - every yard and allotment had their trees, markets sold them by the ton & I loved them - so crispy and tart! Now I can't find them anymore 😭 It feels like apples sold today are mostly mushy & sweet. And if they're tart, they're most likely imported and super expensive Granny Smith.

Lynn Perry

Thanks @Sarah Roe for the info! The details make the answer enjoyable to read. Much appreciated!

Mark Knight

Are there any trees/groves that Johnny Appleseed planted remaining or known descendants?

Neal Sorensen

Not trying to start a fight, but Washington Honeycrisp apples are knockoffs. That's a variety meant to be grown in Midwest climates according to an orchard owner I spoke to.

Nicole Kleinman

Are those mutant apples that taste awesome actually good for me?

Nicole Kleinman

What makes honey crisp so yummy and so expensive?

Holly Giorgio-Dundon

Can you speak to Apple tree grafting? What is the science involved? What are the steps? What sort of rootstocks would one use for dwarf and semi-dwarf trees?

Olivia Eliasson

Were there no apples in America before it was colonized?

Annalise De Young

I recently heard you can make apple syrup by tapping the trees the way you do sugar maples, BUT the apples have no sweetness and can basically only be used for livestock feed. Is this a real thing or flim-flam?

Olivia Eliasson

How can apples be a part of the rose family???

Olivia Eliasson

Why is the forbidden fruit an apple in the Bible?

Dave Langlinais

About how long are apples usually stored in warehouses, before they finally make their way in front of consumers at the grocery store? And are there any treatments done to apples to make their freshness/crispness last longer while in storage? (I ask this because I know nitrogen can be used to control avocados' ripeness, I was wondering if there was a similar process for apples)

Olivia Eliasson

Has the expert visited the Isaac Newton apple tree???

Sarah Williamson

How does grafting work and are some apples easier than others to graft? What's your favourite kind of apple?

Kyle hunter

How much has the flavor of apples changed throughout their existence?

Micki Colbeck

Is it true that the only native Malus in N. America is the crab apple? That all our other apple trees originated in Kazakhstan?

Madeline Adams

New supporter, FTQA! Not only are crisp and not super sweet apples one of my favorite fruits… But in relation to Halloween, and to Spooktober, I started thinking about the apple in stories and mythology. For example, snow white eats a poisoned apple and the apple is symbolic in the Bible… Why is the apple chosen as the fruit to represent a change in awareness and myths stories? (Also, was it William Tell who had the Apple shot off his head? And Johnny Appleseed’s story… and I do not mean to offend anyone by mentioning the Bible as a story or myth!) THANK YOU!!

Margot Louis

Also curious about this. I remember in the tree episode the guest said all our apples are clones. Is that really true?? ALL OF THEM?!

Katie Bauer

Who is in charge of naming the different types of apples (and how do I apply for that job)??

Paige Van Horn

How do you get the wax off of grocery store apples?

Paige Van Horn

Why is Apple picking such a popular fall activity?

Becky Wilkinson

No question except maybe can you send me money for applies because my 9 year old eats 3 or 4 a day.

Judy Lawler

Is there a particular variety that is more vitamin-packed than others?

terry goss

Is there a true, “original” Apple, or are all of the available variants manipulated/crossbreeds?

Rachel McGill

Why can’t you grow an apple tree from the seed of an apple you buy?

Rachel McGill

Why do some people like mealy apples (*shivers*)?

Rachel McGill

Who was “Apple Annie”? In kindergarten my mom packed me half of a sliced apple every day in my lunch, and I was subsequently bequeathed with the nickname, “Apple Annie,” but who is/was she?

Paige Van Horn

Are apples the most nutrient-dense fruit or food? Or what marketing campaign came up with "one a day"

Kathryn Knopinski

Have you ever met anyone else who loves it? What do you like about them?

Alex B

Why are so few varieties sold in the average grocery store?

Kristin

FTQA is it true or flim flam that grocery store apples may have been picked up to 9 months ago (!)? and that the preservation process to survive that long reduces the nutritional value vs fresh picked apples?

Holly Giorgio-Dundon

What are some common apple pests? Do nylon socks really help protect fruit? Also, would you spray copper or sulfur to help prevent fungus? Why?

Gretchen Schroeder

Regarding the preservation of heritage apple strains (I am an amateur cider brewer) what is the best way to preserve an apple strains, since I hear the seeds are not true to strain. I was also raised by a New Englander, and ate and cooked with old strains, that have been displaced by more "commercial varieties".

Kieran H

Why are Red Delicious apples literally the worst apple?!

Abbi Lawson

First time question asker here! What are your favourite things to do with a glut of apples? And any top tips for long term storage when you've got apples almost coming out of your ears?

Kieran H

I know that apple maggots aren’t a good thing. Why exactly are they such a pest? Do they affect the whole tree or just the fruit?

Kieran H

What is your favorite apple dessert and/or product?

Kieran H

Why do apples have so much fructose and fiber?! I love apples but as a person with IBS I can’t really eat raw apples anymore! :(

Leah Anderson

How can I keep the apples on my trees from getting eaten by worms and wasps without spraying?

Susan C Lester

From the apple in the Garden of Eden, to the golden apple that helped start the Trojan War, to our current Apple computers, apples have played a more important role in culture than any other type of fruit. Any thoughts on why this might be?

Susan C Lester

I would like to grow an apple tree from a twig from one of my great-grandfather's apple trees. I can't take an entire branch for grafting. I've tried growing a tree from the apple seeds, but they don't breed true and this takes many years. Any advice on how growing a tree from a twig could be done?

Aeriel Belk

Will you tell us the true story of Johnny Appleseed? Did he really plant that many apple trees? and did he really wear the pan as a hat?

Aeriel Belk

What's worse than finding a worm in your apple? (the correct answer is finding half a worm, lol)

Tabitha Dell’Angelo

Yes, this. I remember when I complained to my GI doc that apples were on the danger list she said, "You can probably still eat one or two slices". why? why?

Ellie Frances

Oh really?? That’s actually quite interesting! I wonder what’s different about them if the variety is meant to be in the Midwest!

Rick Gordon

Greetings Questor of Knowledge, I would like to know what are the molecular mechanisms by which apples protect against disease.

Allison Menard

I eat every part of the apple except the stem. Yes, even the seeds. I believe that this is completely safe, & any potential danger are just old wives tales. Is this true? Or am I digging myself an early grave?

Rick Gordon

Another question, are there any apple trees that can be grown in cold climates like north west of state of Washington.

Amy Vanko

Is this true!??? I’ve stopped eating apples because they bother my stomach, but maybe Granny Smiths would be ok?

Amy Vanko

I have the same problem. I looked it up and it’s because they’re high in fructose. They spike your blood sugar, which spikes insulin, but it’s also digested really quickly because it’s a simple sugar. The leftover insulin leads to hunger.

Jean Pompeo

About how many different types of apples have been recorded? How many species are estimated to have been lost to time?

Deke Cisco

What is the best apple? Why is it Honey Crisp?

Jean Pompeo

Are apples the superior pomme fruit? I think my favorite are pears!

Amy Vanko

And a follow-up, where in the globe did apples originate? Would they have actually been available to the first humans?

Jess Loeffler

Ask about how apples are propagated, and why they're grafted and clonally reproduced instead of using the seeds.

Jess Loeffler

Are all of the seeds inside an apple genetically identical (like twins), or are they more like siblings (same parentage, but each are individuals)?

Jessica Wilson

Why does being allergic to birch pollen also mean I'm allergic to raw apples? Why am I cursed to be unable to enjoy this healthy delicious snack 😭

Will Clark

How much of the Jonny Appleseed story is based on actual events?

Dayna Davis

My work pal is a hobby woodworker, told me apples could be stored for years in the past in wooden containers/cellars. True? Not True?

Amy Vanko

I understand the concept behind apple seeds producing totally different apples, like we produce babies that are totally different from us, and from each other. But my followup question is why is there so much genetic diversity in apples in particular? You can grow so many other vegetables and fruits from seed. Are there more genes involved in flavor and texture? Do they undergo more mutation or recombination events?

Amy Vanko

For people who have itchy gums after eating apples, do we know what causes that? Is it something in the skins?

Amy Vanko

When an apple is mealy, has it just dried out? What’s happening biologically to cause that? And why would some apples (cough, red delicious) be more prone to it?

Marc Albert

Should us land managers here in the Northeast consider the abundant crabapples as an invasive species?

Cyntia B

Why are new varieties of apples so good when they are first released (think honey crisp or cosmic crisp), but then turn out to be subpar with time? Less sweet, tarter or even bitter? All while a Cortland is still great after all those years.

Scarlet P

What's the best way to store an apple to keep it tasting good the longest?

Scarlet P

Where did the term "Apple a day keeps the doctor away" come from?

Scarlet P

I've heard apples are good for your teeth - is that true?

Scarlet P

Are apples indigenous to north america?

Average_pi

Are apples today different from the olden apples of yore? What is their favorite kind of apple ?

Splophie

Why can I break some apples in half with my hands but not others? Like why is a granny Smith so much denser than say a gala?

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

Obsessed with grafted apple trees that have a different variety on each branch. How??? What would happen if a field of multi-apple apple trees went wild over time?

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

Why do apples feature so prominently in superstition and witchy-ness? Snow White biting into a poisoned banana feels so wrong!

Nathalie Jones

Why are they so tasty when grown in the Hudson valley? Something about the soil or climate??

Rachel von Morrigan

What are the chances that one day I’ll be able to eat a cross breed of a Granny Apple and a Honeycrisp?

Patricia Evans

Please ask your expert to discuss the risk that all the "new" trendy apples (Honeycrisp, Gala) will lead to extinction of heritage varieties that have much more genetic diversity and taste/cook much better!

Ellen Storm

Here in Western Washington we battle both coddling moth and apple maggot fruit flies. I soak little nylon footies in a slurry of kaolin clay and slip it over any apples I think I’m going to want to eat. Are there any easier; but still safe and healthy ways of keeping the worms out? Also, is it just me or do my Akane apples taste better now that the tree has matured; being about 35 years old now. I love you Alie and am so glad you are taking care of yourself and gave yourself the break you would advise all of us to take.

Kai Kishimoto

What about the cold temps in New England helps make apples taste good?

Nathan-Andrew

Good - time to repair their reputation on the show after your dendrologist slandered them! Please ask about the historical usage of the first cultivated apples of Central Asia.

Jodie Affleck

YES! What is this?! Why have so many fruits forsaken us?!

Earl of Greymalkin

1) How likely are you to find good eating apples in the wild versus trees that would be better for cider? 2) Are people working on creating varieties with any interesting features? Are there competitions for new apples? What about people trying to recover old varieties? 3) What's the weirdest apple variety? 4) How dangerous are apple seeds actually? 5) Do apple trees have any particular pathogens that farmers have to fight? Are there really worms that like to live in apples? Can those worms climb trees or do they gnaw on fallen fruit? 6) What nutritional value do apples have that other fruits don't and vice versa? 7) Is a crabapple an apple? Why are they named after crabs? 8) What animals like to eat apples? Do they distribute seeds to other locations by pooping them out? 9) Do you have any favorite ciders to recommend? 10) What is apple flavored candy using to evoke apple taste? 11) Should apple trees be used in public urban landscaping or would they be a nuisance to the city?

Jodie Affleck

What’s the purpose for the different colours? I assumed red would mean ripeness and make them easier to spot in trees so animals eat them, but then why are so many green varieties? Are they bred that way for us?

Valerie

Ohhhh interesting! Thanks!

Aimee Bee

Gahhhh! If you’ve never seen Ozark I highly recommend it because Ruthie is the best and she says it best, “I don’t know shit about fuck!” And I don’t know shit about fuck when it comes to cyanide in apple seeds which is used on that show to kill a character. Please ask! Is this true?!?!

Maria Andrus

Which magic apple trees are cross bred to make Cosmic Crisp apples? And how are they so perfectly sweet and cronchy?

Helen

How did apples become associated with schools/teachers?

Losifer

Came here to say this!!! What say you, Casey Clapp?

Amy Hickman

Where does the phrase ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ come from ?

Amy Hickman

How many apple pips is the lethal dose for an average human being ?

Andrea Devlin

Can you please teach us about cyanide in apple seeds? Is it a myth? How much is harmful? Thank you!

Nick Mikash

What about our native apple varieties? And can you talk about why domestic apples don't reproduce true to variety? What's happening in the genetics there?

Clay Mohrman

Fascinated by grafting of apple trees! Can you elaborate more on this magical process and why it is so common with apple trees?

You Can Be The Judge

Roses, Apples, Hawthorns, Quinces - All from the same family. Now tell us about the best relative of them all... the much under-rated Medlar, or, as our medieval ancestors liked to call them, "The Open-Ass Fruit." Why are they the way that they are? Why are they only ready to eat when they are rotten? And why do thy look exactly like an anus?

Kellee Toler

I want to know why apples are such a big part of idioms and sayings - "apple of my eye" etc, and also stories such as Newton getting hit in the head with an apple (did that actually happen?) and also poison apples. Like, why are apples apparently so important to us? I don't see any other fruit represented this way.

Dylan V

I understand that we choose for apples that taste good to grow, but how did the plant evolve a fruit like an apple in the first place? What creatures native to Almaty, Kazakhstan helped these trees get to the point that humans could get their cider?

Dylan V

Also do you have a favorite apple (or combo of apples) for apple pie?

Hannah Pimley

Will we ever get a parthenocarpic or seedless apple?

Pretty Bird

And why is Cortland the superior variety!? And can you provide the history of the magnificent Cortland apple and why it’s so hard to get your hands on if you’re not in NY state?

Cyntia B

I think I just found a new friend.

Mariana Gonzalez-Rul

Is it true that if you plant apple seeds you don't get a tree that gives the same kind of apple as the one the seeds came from?

Abby Grieb

Yay apples!!! Please talk about how all apple varieties are grafted clones!!

Abby Grieb

How closely related are apples and pears?

Ryan Homer

Is the apple skin good or bad for you?

Audrey Ayers

What’s the difference between a crab apple and a regular apple?

Audrey Ayers

Why do European apples suck such balls?

Annmarie Everhart

Are animals negatively impacted/killed by eating apples seeds due to their toxicity?

Karen Tam

Which is better: caramel apples or candy apples and why is the answer caramel

Julie-Anne

Why do apples last so much longer in my fridge than any other fruit? (FTQA!)

Victoria Hantout

pomology— are they related to pomegranates?

Victoria Hantout

what’s the oldest type of apple? any rare ones out there?

Sriya Karra

Are there any ongoing research projects in pomology that you're excited about? Alsoo, have you ever dressed up for halloween as a fruit ninja because that would be amazing! -Sriya (Sree-yuh)

Madeline DLC

Why do apples make me gassy Dad-ward!?

Kendall M

Why are there so many different kinds of apples?

Gigi Owen

First time question asker! What's the origin behind bobbing for apples? Have you ever successfully bobbed an apple?

Matt Lundberg

Why was the apple the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden? Was there something inherently bad or “naughty” about apples in the time period when the genesis story was originally written/told? Thanks, dad-ward, and welcome back! 😁

Sarah Meaden

Is is true that humans used to eat the entire apple - core and all? Or is it a distinctly western culture thing that we don't eat the entire thing? Why did we stop?

Dmitriy Y

Why do we lose our minds over cherry blossoms but don’t care at all about apple blossoms?

Sarah Meaden

I didn't know I needed this until now.

Isabela

First time question asker! How did "apple" go from meaning generic "fruit" to how we use it today? (This change is probably why "apples" star so much in myths and legends — the original forbidden "apple" was probably some other fruit.)

Rebecca Morrison

FTQA: why are honeycrisp the only good apples? Is it a modified strain?

Laura Kinney

How is it that different apple varieties are trademarked? Are they all? Are all varieties of produce trademarked? It seems so weird. Also, how do some apples seem to have really good PR teams? A few years ago when Cosmic Crisp came out, the PR team was on point! I had never heard more people talking about a new apple coming to stores.

Stacy S.

Does anyone else get an itchy tongue when they eat apples but nothing else happens? This has been happening to me my whole life and I guess it's an "oral allergy" and sounds made up but it happens to me, have you heard of it?

Matt Lundberg

How have advancements in commercial apple cultivation methods not only extended their shelf life but also impacted the sensory experience, taste, and flavor profile of apples available in the market today?

Matt Hirschl

Poison? Yes, poison. How many seeds until I turn into an apple victim?

jen baker

How did apples become the symbol for both teachers and woodland witches?

Alicia Clarkson

Why is is that domestic apples don’t breed true to type? ELI5 why planting the seed from my Honey Crisp apples is going to give me a crabapple type tree? And in that same vein, how did we get all of the commercial varieties we have now in the first place, apple genetics confuse me.

She Purple

FTQA: what are the differences between cider apples, eating apples, and pie/baking apples?

Kathleen C

Why did apple cider's popularity decline so much from its heyday in ye olden days?

Martha Lowry

Do you think we're moving towards breeding apples that are more resistant to climate change? Bring in some wild apple genetics from Kazakhstan and make them more frost tolerant and disease resistant? Or are we too stuck on the flavours we know and varieties we love?

Martha Lowry

Have you ever been to Kazakhstan and seen the wild apple forests?

Martha Lowry

Can we, should we, be breeding apples to be easier to grow in lower input systems, whether water or chemical inputs? If they grow so well in the wild, can we not take some of those genetics and make something delicious that doesn't need so many chemicals to grow?

Erika Koontz

Is it true that you can't grow an apple tree from an apple seed? Example- McIntosh apple seeds won't grow into a McIntosh apple tree. Why is that?

G.Sil

1) How are new varieties of apples made? Selective breeding? Radiation? Intensive grafting?? And what traits are usually sought after? 2) my boyfriend wants to know what apples at the grocery store aren't all "mealy and gross"? Or rather why are mealy and gross?

Leanna Shuster

What causes different apple varieties to have such different textures, from super crispy to more mealy, almost soggy?

Daniel Gill

In my area there is an apple attributed to Thomas Jefferson, how would we know if this was the same apple he ate or was altered by modern techniques?

Avery Khoo

Is it true that consuming a large quantity of apple seeds, that they are poisonous to people?

Photo Geegee

Is it true that apples are the subject of an elaborate propaganda campaign as professed by Casey Clapp of the Dendrology episode??

Amy Lester

Is it true that if you get a mealy apply (you know, kinda mushy) but put it in the fridge, it’ll crisp back up? I heard that in order to preserve water when it’s hot out, an apple will pull the water to its core leaving the flesh more mushy. But a little cold therapy will crisp it back up! Flim flam??

Keely Chavez

I hope the guest talks about Johnny Appleseed LOL. Here in Northern NM we have a unique and very old area growing Johnathan's which are almost sacred. Do apples have the same terroir as grapes do?

Robert Smith

Are we losing apple varieties? Is anyone collecting samples of heirloom varieties to preserve them?

Connor they them

Could you talk about the idea of saving apple varieties. The story of people like Tom Brown, who saved 1000 varieties, is cool, but I don't know what the benefits of that is. What happens to the varieties people save? My grocery store still sells the same varieties as before so where are all those apple going each year?

Connor they them

Could you explain grafting I've had people explain it to me before and I still don't really understand. What's the process? And do they have to do it every year?

Connor they them

Is apple pie a summer dish or a fall? It is common at both 4th of July, which occurs right apple picking season and Thanksgiving, which occurs after. How did a dish that isn't naturally available for either holiday become associated with them?

Anna Reed

What are some good uses for crabapples? They are currently covering my yard and attracting lots of wasps 😳 how serious is fire blight?

Sarah Weiler

What is the best type of apple, and why is it Honeycrisp?

Sarah Weiler

Have Red Delicious apples changed at all over recent decades? They were the worst apple to me growing up, and my parents also think they are trash. The only place I ever actually see them is school lunches. If they haven't changed, why does anybody still grow them?

Janice Rattigan

Do you have any tips for a backyard orchard? (maybe in the mid-Atlantic region) In particular, recommended rootstock?

Kleb

To peel or no to peel, that's the question. I grew up hearing that most of the nutrients are in the skin, but at the same time that it was full of pesticide and that if you wash it with any kind of product, it just make it worse. So, for the genetic had produced apples, what's the safest way to consume it? Does it change if in Europe, Asia or America (the continent)?

Olivier Calas

I’ve been eating everything in apples but the stem for most of my adult life. I know apple seeds contain some minute amount if cyanide. How much daily dose of cyanide can a human organism consume without consequences?

S D Lennox

Is it true apple seeds contain arsenic? If so, how many deaths or poisonings have been attributed to this? (Note, I have no intention of poisoning anyone! 🤣). First time question asker from New Zealand 🇳🇿 🤗.

Tired Toad

I had heard it was cyanide but neither is pleasant

Erik K

When did humans first cultivate apples? Is there still a wild apple variety that moderen apples came from?

Myra Poundstone

Noting that the apple trees we grow now are mainly kinds that have been cultivated for ages, how big did the ancestors of apple trees actually get? I was in a bus in France once and we stopped in Normandy for fuel in an area surrounded by cows and fields, and there were two apple trees by the road that were just so incredibly huge that they’re imprinted in my mind. How big can they get?? Thanks Alie!

Lisa Butler

I wonder if it's because 'apple' was a generic word for fruit in some older European languages. Like 'pineapple' used to mean 'pinecone' because it's the fruit of a pine tree. Someone thought pineapples kinda looked like pinecones hehehe

Marlis Cheeseophile

How old is the oldest living apple tree, and where does it live? Does it still fruit? How long have people been cultivating apples? How long have apples been associated with women and sin? What is the most amazing thing you've learned about apples? Thank you for sharing your expertise.

Holly Cole

One of my kids eats a Fuji apple ( nearly) every day. What’s up with Fuji and why does an apple a day keep the doctor away? Because it holds true in this case!

Spencer Parks

Do you eat the core? I remember learning that my sister at the whole thing except for the stem and seeds and I thought that was odd, but I guess other people do it!

Sarah Cork Henderson

Why does common culture say the forbidden fruit that got Adam and Eve kicked out of the Garden of Eden was an apple. But the Bible doesn't identify the type of fruit. Any idea why the bad press? Also are any of Johnny Appleseed's original trees still around? And why was he so passionate about growing apple trees everywhere? Any idea? Strikes me that he possibly had ADHD or was on the ASD spectrum with that kind of dogged focus.

Cole Irwin

Crab apples - how do people eat them? What can you make with them?

Matt Ceccato

Why are worms born in apples?

Cole Irwin

Are low fodmap apple varieties from geographically or ecologically similar areas?

Cole Irwin

Do apples grow globally? Are there desert apples? Are there tropical apples?

Carly Delavigne

I remember hearing the myth growing up that apples can give you energy in the morning as an alternative to coffee, but have no idea where or why that started. I don’t believe it, but where did that come from??

Coreen “the climate communicator” Weilminster

I seem to recall a previous episode where one of your interviewees had a real problem with apples....I can't recall who it was or what the issue was (no such thing as a real apple?? all are genetically modified??)

Molly

Such a weird one, but: why do I feel hungrier after I eat an apple? Almost as if I've broken open a miniature hole in my stomach (!).

Lizzy

can I let my cat lick the apple core? (seeds and stem removed)

tiny nature

I've heard it's really bad to eat the apple core. Is that true?

AJ Gray

Could your guest talk a bit about apple breeding and ex-situ gene banks for apple trees to preserve their diversity? I’m really interested in places like seed banks or research institutes (like the stone barns agricultural center in NY) that are breeding, collecting and trying to preserve varieties of apples for various reasons but who face challenges like climate change, lack of govt support, etc

AJ Gray

What’s the latest from the mountains in Kazakhstan where apples originated? Are they still facing lots of challenges in being conserved and protected?

AJ Gray

When apples get cross-bred with things like pears, what are some of the short and long term side effects that can have?

AJ Gray

Do apple trees benefit from grafting different varieties onto one another?

Zoey Fain

If an old apple tree is not "tended" to like a forgotten orchard, do the apples lose their "appeal" or elevated flavor? I heard that a old apple orchard won't produce great apples and must be brought back to life for good fruit.

Zoey Fain

What is the oldest known living apple tree and what kind of apples are they?

Megan Younce

I don't remember where or when I heard this, but is it true that we have a sort of archive of seeds from "discontinued" apple breeds stashed away somewhere?

Zinc

possibly stupid question, but why do apples work that cross breeding is the only way for apples to naturally make a new tree (if that makes sense)? i get that one plant has to pollinate another, what is specific about apples that makes this difference?

Zinc

if this is true, how and why?

Zinc

what’s your favourite apple?

Drew

I was told that if you plant a seed from an apple, the tree and eventual fruit that is produced from it will be a different variety. Is this a true statement?

Alyssa Ranker

(Question from my fiancé) Why would the apple seeds have evolved cyanide? Is it harmful to any organisms that normally consume the apples? To protect the seeds from consumption by insects?

Alyssa Ranker

(My question) How can one fruit have so many different varieties and flavor profiles? What compounds are responsible for the flavors ie the tartness of a Granny Smith or the cinnamoney flavor of the Cinnamon Spice apples?

Olivia

Is it true an apple can give you as much energy as a cup of coffee?

Aurora Cullen

where did the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” come from? is there any truth to that?

Aurora Cullen

Why aren’t red delicious apples actually delicious?

Greg Walloch

Is it true that apples were popularized and marketed as a healthy food during prohibition, cuz they suddenly had all these cider apples they had to do something with?

Specs Owl

Why does eating half an apple just make me hungry again, and eating a whole one give me a sore stomach?

Specs Owl

Why is apple wood so tough? I've cut through it and it is so much more dense than other types of wood. What purpose does that serve, that the apple tree needs more than other trees?

Becky Wilkinson

Why do we have so many varieties of apples? Are there other types of fruits or vegetables that have as many varieties? Do other countries eat as many apples as we do? We have a lot of apple varieties but really they all taste kind of similar; why can't science make us an apple that doesn't brown instead of more apples that taste more or less the same? Can we have blue apples? What are recent advances in apple science?

Jordan Irons

Are we wasting our time scrubbing the "wax" off the outside of store bought apples?

Heather Moore

What in apples' genetics makes them so odd about creating a similar apple? I have grafted a few, but would like to just plant a seed like the rest of my garden and get the apple I expect. What in the world is up with that!

Colby Evans

What is the worst apple, and why is it Red Delicious?

the ren you know

From a chef/baker: Do fruit flies just live in apples?? Whenever I get a bucketload of apples I immediately put them in the fridge to keep away fruit flies, but i take them out for like 2 seconds to make a pie and I’m catching heaps of fruit flies for an entire week after

Mamabee & DadAussie

First time question asker 😀 I've heard that there are hundreds of named apple cultivars, and numerous more unnamed. Why the large diversity? Is this because apples have been around and cultivated by humans for a really long time? How long have apples been cultivated by humans? Thanks ol Dad Ward, so glad you took the time to rest and recover ❤ - Mamabee

Guido

Is quince just a quirky apple or is it a totally different fruit? Does its plant have a common ancestor with the apple tree?

Jess EyeballSurgeon

who came up with the "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" adage? big apple?

Stephen

Is a crab apple and apple or is it different?

Elie Zwiebel

Is there any way to tell how mealy an apple will be on the inside just by cues on the outside? Color? Texture? Worm dimples? Sour vibes?

Mary Elizabeth Parks

My sister’s a doctor and I like her a lot. Should I stop eating apples??

Olivia Kimes

Saw a tik tok that said apples have microplastics. Should I believe this? Is this what you are washing off when you clean them? I thought it was just wax

Emily Rose

Why are red delicious apples not so delicious?

Marijke Decuir

Are other fruit varieties patented like apples? When was the first apple patented? Have varieties always been cultivated for eating or were apples mostly for cider? (Pronounced mah -rye-kah de-cure)

Audrey Hudak

(first time question)Jonny Appleseed - hero or villain?

Storm

how are apples different from how they were when we first discovered them (bc i imagine selective breeding and gmos have changed them alot)

Storm

what makes a fruit an apple

Storm

is it true that apples have been modified so much that they now have unnecessary amounts of sugar in them to make them sweet

Trevor Doty

Why is it the apple of original sin? Why not peaches? Apples aren’t nearly as seductive; peaches feel more like sin to me.

Trevor Doty

Jonny Appleseed. Was he spreading apple seeds or his own seed?

Trevor Doty

How does grafting work? It’s amazing!

Holly Lewis

I love apples but they give me painful gas if I eat more than a couple of slices. Same with pears and the juice of both. Why?

Elizabeth Davis

Is it true that there are strains of apples that are proprietary? I've heard that only certain orchards are allowed to grow certain strains of apples which drives the cost of those strains up. Honeycrisp is the specific one I've heard most about.

Marco Santoro

So there's cider but have ya heard of cider jack? It's like the alcoholic fermented version of cider but someone told me the real process is when you let the apples naturally ferment outside into the winter and the liquid that isn't frozen is taken off the top and used as cider jack. Is this flim flam, does it exist? I haven't seen anything on it besides this farmer telling me about it while working on an orchard

Jadyn Sethna

What is the history of grafting fruit trees? Who figured it out?

Mairead May Hess

Hi Marco :) we call it apple jack- it is not flim flam!

Eloísa Fróes

for the ologites that read this: do you know the instagram account dedicated to showcasing different apples? they have a book out and everything. https://www.instagram.com/pomme_william i never knew there were so many types of apples. so my question is: are any of those pretty and different apples as tasty as the more commercial ones? and why are they so niche?

Andrew Insch

@Kathryn Knopinski I like them because they aren't too sweet and at same time granny smith apples are too sour.

Gemma

are there any natural poison apples?

emily burns

where does the flavor of an apple come from and why is there such a wide variety?

Jessica Cingel

I would just like to comment that I have an apple tattoo. Got it after having a hysterectomy as a fertility/womb symbol.

Pup E. Dog

Is it true that apples becoming a go-to snack was propaganda to get rid of surplus apples?

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Sounds like a cross protein allergy. If you're not actually allergic to apples, you might be allergic to something with a similar protein.