44 FEBRUARY 2021 34,438 lbs ORIGINS HOW LONG? HOW HEAVY? HOW MANY? Seven thousand five hundred varieties of apples are grown throughout the world. The U.S. has 2,500 varieties of apples, and apples grow in all 50 states. – illinois.edu In 1929, Russian scientist Nikolai Vavilov first traced the apple genome with DNA testing. He identified most cultivars of the domesticated apple’s primary ancestor as the ancient apple tree: Malus sieversii. Malus sieversii is a wild apple native to Central Asia, specifically to the Tian Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan. They have been growing over millions of years but were domesticated between 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. Pilgrims planted the first United States apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony between 1628 and 1691. – nationalgeographic.com The world’s largest apple peel was created by Kathy Wafler Madison on October 16, 1976, in Rochester, NY. It was 172 feet, 4 inches long. (She was 16 years old at the time and grew up to be a sales manager for an apple tree nursery.) – littleclickers.com The largest apple pie on record was created on August 16, 1997 in Wenatchee, WA. The pie weighed 34,438 pounds (the weight of two and a half elephants) and measured 44 feet by 24 feet. – seattletimes.com 172’ 4” 7,500 varieties MANY? Seven thousand five hundred varieties of apples are grown 7,500 7,500 varieties 7,500 varieties 7,500 varieties DID YOU KNOW? APPLES Burgers, Dogs, Burritos! Scrumptious Fish & Chips! Best Chicken Nuggets & Tenders! Fresh Breaded Onion Rings! Children’s Menus at All Locations! Drive Thru/Take-Out is Our Specialty! Phone orders taken till 10:00pm Monday thru Saturday. 602-840-0630 20% off any order over $9.00! Offer expires 2/28/21. Valid with coupon only. Present coupon at time of purchase. May not be combined with any other offer. 1 coupon per person. Valid at all 8 locations. No cash value. Coupon cannot be reproduced. 4121 N. 44th St., Phoenix Cash only. ATM on Patio. VOTED BEST LOCAL BURGER IN THE EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE 2020 VOTED BEST SEAFOOD IN THE GLENDALE STAR 2020 BECOME AN INSIDER and get the latest news! Free e-newsletter SNAP HERE arcadianews.com/newsletters or visit

45 FEBRUARY 2021 APPLE WORD SEARCH ANTIOXIDANTS API APPLE BLACK SEA CASPIAN SEA CIDER CRABAPPLE KAZAKHSTAN LADY MADISON MALUS SIEVERSII MASSACHUSETTS BAY PILGRIMS ROSE STEVE JOBS SWITZERLAND VAVILOV WENATCHEE APPLE FACTS – illinois.edu SAY WHAT? APPLES BELONG TO THE ROSE FAMILY The rose family is one of the six most economically important crop plant families and includes apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, almonds, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, sloes and roses. – englishclub.com The crabapple is the only apple native to North America. The average supermarket apple is 14 months old. One hundred varieties of apples are grown commercially in the United States. Apples are fat, sodium and cholesterol-free. Apple trees take four to five years to produce their first fruit. Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman. Apples range in size from a little larger than a cherry to as large as a grapefruit. The apple tree originated in an area between the Caspian and the Black Seas. Apple computer got its name from one of Steve Job’s fruit-based diet plans. Apples were the favorite fruit of ancient Greeks and Romans. The largest apple picked weighed three pounds. Charred apples have been found in prehistoric dwellings in Switzerland. Some apple trees will grow to over 40 feet high and live more than 100 years. It takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple. Apples are the second most valuable fruit grown in the United States. Oranges are first. Don’t peel your apple. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in the peel. Antioxidants help to reduce damaged cells, which can trigger some diseases. The Lady or Api apple is one of the oldest varieties in existence. The largest U. S. apple crop was 277.3 million cartons in 1998. Apples ripen six to ten times faster at room temperature than if they were refrigerated. It takes about 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider. Apples account for 50 percent of the world’s deciduous fruit tree production. In 2006, 58% of apples produced in the United States were produced in Washington, 11% in New York, 8% in Michigan, 5% in Pennsylvania, 4% in California and 2% in Virginia. The apple variety ‘Red Delicious’ is the most widely grown in the United States, with 62 million bushels harvested in 2005. Many apples, after harvesting and cleaning, have commercial grade wax applied to preserve them. The waxes are made from natural ingredients. Newton Pippin apples were the first apples exported from America in 1768, and some were sent to Benjamin Franklin in London. Apples are the most frequently used fruit in Western art, literature and everyday speech. DID YOU KNOW? APPLES It takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple. Apples are the second most valuable fruit grown in the United States. Oranges are first. Don’t peel your apple. Two-thirds of the fiber and lots of antioxidants are found in the peel. Antioxidants help to reduce damaged cells, The Lady or Api apple is one of the oldest varieties in existence. The apple variety ‘Red Delicious’ is the most widely grown in the United States, Many apples, after harvesting and cleaning, have commercial grade wax applied to preserve them. The waxes are made from natural ingredients. Apples are the most frequently used fruit in Western art, literature and everyday speech.