Happy National Apple Month! Apples are perhaps the most recognizable of all fruits, beloved for their crunchy texture, sweet flavor and myriad health benefits. But did you know that apples also have a long, storied history steeped in mythology and lore?
For thousands of years, the apple has appeared in classical artwork, poetry, fables and religion. Western cultures commonly depict the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden as a ripe, juicy apple. According to Norse mythology, the gods gained their immortality by eating the mystical Golden Apples of Idunn.
Of course, everyone knows the old wisdom of “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But did you know this belief originally stemmed from a tale in The Arabian Nights, which featured a magical apple capable of curing all human diseases?
There is no denying that apples have a close link to humanity and the development of various cultures and traditions around the globe. In honor of this cherished fruit, we are celebrating National Apple Month by sharing the history of apples, apple facts, and the best apple teas.
Origins of Apples
Archeologists have traced the apple tree back to roughly 6500 BC, in an area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. These ancient apples were smaller and more bitter than modern apples we eat today. Humans in this region collected wild apples for thousands of years, favoring the largest and sweetest varieties and spreading those seeds across the land.
Over time, people from this region began migrating to other areas of Europe and Asia, and they brought apple seeds along with them. Trade along the Silk Road likely facilitated the evolution of modern apples as we know them today. Around this time, humans began cultivating apples intentionally, rather than simply collecting the wild fruits.
The first apples were brought to North America by European colonists in the 17th century. In 1625, Reverend William Blaxton of the Massachusetts Bay Colony planted the first apple orchard on the continent. Today, apples are grown in all 50 U.S. states, with Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California and Virginia leading American apple production.
Fun Facts About Apples
- Apples are a member of the rose family.
- 7,500 varieties of apples are grown around the world.
- 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States.
- The crabapple is the only apple native to North America.
- It takes two pounds of apples make one 9-inch apple pie.
- It takes 36 apples to create one gallon of apple cider.
Celebrate National Apple Month with Apple Tea
Apples are celebrated throughout the fall season with festive traditions such as apple picking, bobbing for apples, sipping hot apple cider, and baking apple pies.
Our favorite way to celebrate National Apple Month is cozying up with a mug of your favorite apple tea, a warm blanket and a good book.
- Hot Apple Cider Tea – Delight in the flavor of pure, fresh apples and fragrant mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves. Sweet and zesty, this golden-hued infusion is the perfect way to celebrate the harvest season. Caffeine-free.
- Caramel Apple Red Tea – Smooth rooibos red tea merges with velvety caramel and real apple bits in this satisfying dessert tea. Serve with a splash of warm milk for an indulgent beverage that is reminiscent of homemade apple pie. Caffeine-free.
- Hibiscus Vanilla Apple Tea – This aromatic and uplifting herbal tea features crisp apple bits, floral hibiscus and rosehips, and a touch of vanilla for extra sweetness. The perfect blend for all-day sipping. Caffeine-free.
We invite every Citizen to celebrate National Apple Month sip by sip with these delightfully festive apple teas!
