7,500 Varieties of Apples?! The Surprising World of Apples | Along the Rock

🍎 APPLE SEASON IS HERE IN NORTHWEST ILLINOIS! 🍎

On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Bruce J. Black from Illinois Extension for an apple-filled conversation just in time for fall!

Did you know there are approximately 7,500 varieties of apples grown worldwide, with about 2,500 grown in the United States? Bruce breaks down the fascinating world of apples, from how new varieties are developed to why modern apple trees are much smaller than the 40-foot trees they can become naturally.

Kierstyn and Bruce also explore:

🍏 How long apples can actually be stored
🍎 Why bruising can shorten an apple's shelf life
🍏 The tiny Rocket apple and its lunchbox appeal
🍎 What makes Honeycrisp such a challenging apple to grow
🍏 Why Cosmic Crisp apples are less likely to brown after being cut
🍎 Which apples are better for snacking, baking, cider, and preserving
🍏 The history of the Red Delicious apple
🍎 Early-season varieties available around the Sauk Valley
🍏 Why an apple tasting can be a lot like a wine tasting

With apple harvest season underway and fall quickly approaching, it's a perfect time to visit a local orchard, try a new variety, grab some fresh cider, and enjoy everything apple season has to offer.

What is your favorite apple variety? 🍎 Let us know in the comments!

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, comment and subscribe for more local stories from the Sauk Valley and beyond.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast and explore more at https://theradar.online

🎤 Highlights:

00:00 Welcome to Along the Rock

00:40 It’s Apple Harvest Season

01:31 How Many Apple Varieties Are There?

03:12 2,500 Apple Varieties Grown in the U.S.

03:47 The Apples You See at the Grocery Store

05:44 The Rocket Apple

07:24 How Are New Apple Varieties Created?

08:39 Why Apple Trees Used to Be 40 Feet Tall

10:21 How Apples Are Harvested

11:24 How Long Can Apples Be Stored?

13:27 Are You Eating Last Year’s Apples?

14:05 What Apples Are in Season Right Now?

15:23 Finding the Right Apple for You

17:40 Meet the Pink Lady

18:16 Why Honeycrisp Is an Apple Diva

19:26 The Amazing Cosmic Crisp

23:27 Exploring Local Apple Orchards

24:34 Bruce’s Favorite Apple

25:35 What Happened to the Red Delicious?

27:11 Apple Tasting Like a Wine Tasting

28:31 Will There Be an Apple Tasting?

29:22 The Apple Joke

30:15 Closing

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