From the orchard to the kitchen, there are all kinds of ways to explore America’s favorite fruit with the apple of your eye this fall!
Harvest time. Did you know that most apple picking in the United States is still done by hand? Pick your own apples at an area family-owned orchard, like Alldredge Orchards, Cider Hill Family Orchard, Happy Valley Farm and Schweizer Orchards. Although apple picking season goes until the end of October, call ahead to make sure apples are available to pick. For a complete list of orchards, visit www.KCParent.com
An apple a day... Got more apples than you know what to do with? Invite your kids to help you make a simple, wholesome applesauce they’ll love. See recipe in the sidebar.
Crunch and compare. Taste test different varieties of apples. Have your kids write down the type of apple, the color, the taste (sour, sweet, tart) and the texture (crisp, juicy, soft). Which one is their favorite?
Apple chemistry 101. When an apple is cut, oxygen turns it brown. Experiment with ways to slow the browning process. Cut an apple into quarters. Have your child sprinkle lemon juice on one slice; leave another slice in water; put a slice in the freezer with nothing on it; and rub salt on another. Which substance do they think will preserve the apple the longest? Write down the date you begin the experiment. Your kids can record their observations each day.
Meet the Apple Man. Read about American folk hero Johnny Appleseed, whose real name was John Chapman. Check out the beautifully illustrated Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg.
7 Fun Facts About Apples
- Pomology is the science of growing apples.
- The crabapple is the only apple native to North America.
- Apples are grown in every state in the continental United States.
- An apple floats because 25 percent of its volume is air.
- The apple tree originated in central Asia.
- An estimated 2,500 known varieties of apples exist in the United States.
- More than 7,500 are grown worldwide.
Sources: U.S. Apple Association, Louisburg Cider Mill
Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines is the mom of two boys who love all things apple. She and her family reside in Olathe.