The apple - already in In Genesis , the first book of the Bible, the tempting fruit plays a significant role that has remained ingrained in Western cultural understanding to this day.
Indeed, the cultural influence of the fruit on our world today should not be underestimated. After all, according to tradition, we owe it to an apple that... Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity, one of the fundamental building blocks of modern physics and thus of our current understanding of the universe and our place in it.
And hardly anyone can hear the word " Apple " today without thinking of technological progress.
But why is the apple so important and ubiquitous, and how did it manage to achieve this? Apple Pie to even become an unofficial symbol of an entire nation? And was Apple Pie perhaps not the first? Soul Food The American apple-based one?
The story begins, as so often, at the roots.
Comparing Apples and… Roses?
Especially since apple pie is so inextricably linked to American food culture today, and is now so popular in America. 2,500 different apple varieties Given that it is cultivated, it may be surprising to hear that it is actually only 4 apple varieties there are species that were native to America before the time of European colonization.
Apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, plums and peaches are all closely related to each other . And not only that, all these fruits are part of the Rosaceae family and therefore, as the name suggests, very closely related. related to roses .
Like roses, apples also originate from Central and East Asia , presumably roughly the area of present-day [region/country] Kazakhstan , where they are already well 10,000 years before Christ They were cultivated. Over the millennia, they spread further and further west along ancient trade routes and were introduced to Southern Europe by the Greeks and Romans It was cultivated on a large scale. Through Roman campaigns and conquests, the apple in its present form eventually reached Central and Northern Europe.
The significance of the apple fluctuated dramatically even back then. The Greeks saw it as a A potent aphrodisiac , the apple became a symbol of the cycle of death and rebirth for the Celts. In the Middle Ages, the apple was immortalized in the Bible as a symbol of temptation, even though no specific fruit is mentioned in the original Hebrew and Aramaic texts. This image of the apple as a seductive fruit has remained deeply ingrained in our culture to this day, making it not only a culinary classic but also a symbol of knowledge and curiosity.
Given this bad reputation, it seems rather strange at first glance that in the Christian-influenced Middle Ages, kings often used the so-called scepter as a symbol of their rule, alongside the crown and scepter. Imperial orb They wore a golden sphere with a cross on top. The solution to the riddle lies in the double meaning of the apple by the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation . The imperial orb is actually not an apple at all. Its Latin name "Globus cruciger" simply means "cross-bearing globe" and is a reference to the, according to the understanding at the time, worldwide rule of the ancient Roman Empire.
How apples, which were widespread in America before the time of immigrants, made it there is not documented, but it is suspected that they potentially traveled with the ancestors of American fauna or even the ancestors of Native Americans from Asia via the Bering Strait land bridge came to the new world.
Before the arrival of Europeans , four different species of wild apples (crab apples) grew in North America. These are not cultivated varieties, but rather distinct wild forms of the genus Malus that existed on the continent long before settlers. These wild apples are particularly sour and only suitable for limited use as food. In some Southeast Asian regions, related species are used as an acidifying agent or spice.
Why the ancestors of the natives would have taken the unappetizing apples with them on the arduous journey, or whether they came to North America by other means, is unknown, especially since the natives never cultivated these plants or systematically used them as a food source.
The apple only became a foodstuff with the arrival of European settlers. early 17th century into the new world.
The first settlers faced a major challenge. agriculture On a large scale, this was largely unknown in the northern part of the American continent at that time, with hardly any large population centers such as could be found in the South American high cultures of that era.
There were indeed Native fruits such as mulberries, plums, cherries, persimmons, and crabapples were available, but these were wild and grew sporadically and haphazardly as part of the local vegetation, and initially didn't really appeal to the newcomers' tastes. Fortunately, the settlers arrived well-prepared. Seeds and seedlings From their homeland and in the early days of colonization, horticulture became a part of the daily lives of all settlers and Orchards were an integral part of every land ownership.
Initially, the settlers had difficulties, though this couldn't be blamed on their efforts. The problem was simply that there was no way to to pollinate trees . As already mentioned, apples and other fruits are closely related to roses. This means, among other things, that they cannot self-pollinate and rely on the help of birds for reproduction or insects are.
Therefore, even after the usual four to five years of growth, the trees bore hardly any fruit. Only with the import of European Honeybees About a decade later, the harvests could finally begin on a large scale.
The experiments with peaches, apricots, figs, and, who would have guessed, apples, were particularly fruitful (pun intended). Admittedly, not all varieties yielded the desired results. often harsh winters of the country, but some persevered and became a constant part of the first large-scale agricultural culture in North America.
Nevertheless, there was still a long way to go before apple pie could be made. While the recipes from the Old World had been known for a long time and local resources were now available, the American settlers had other pressing plans for their hard-earned produce: Alcohol .
Cider, perry, mobby and brandy - the majority of American apples, pears and peaches ended up in bottles instead of on plates.
At first glance it seems wasteful, but there's a simple explanation. High-quality fruit needs... A lot of time and effort . Fruits from seedlings and seeds. They often grow irregularly and vary greatly in quality. But the typical American colonist, with land to cultivate infinitely larger than any leased land available in Europe, simply had... not the time for more complex planting methods, such as grafting, in which the trees are, to put it simply, cloned and variations and modifications of the fruit are largely avoided.
For the alcoholic fermentation However, fruits of lower quality And a good cider could also be produced from misshapen apples.
Particularly Cider , with its relatively simple production process, quickly became a mainstay of American agricultural culture and, one could argue, the soul drink of early Americans. And this was long before apple pie, as a soul food contender, ever reached the continent.
The Tale of Johnny Appleseed
America today has the dreamy image of the land of unlimited opportunities – a land where everyone can make their way if they have enough willpower and ingenuity. These days, that's what you call... Entrepreneurship , with world-famous faces such as Steve Jobs, who rose from tinkerer in his garage to a market leader in computer technology with worldwide cult status - mind you, under the brand " Apple ".
But you don't have to wait for the digital revolution or the early 21st century to find examples of this business acumen and inventiveness.
Johnny Appleseed is an American legend.
According to folklore, he befriended a wild wolf, slept in a hollow tree trunk, and wore the pot in which he cooked his dinner as a hat during the day. What initially sounds like a typical folktale, however, has entirely real roots:
John Chapman , a follower of the Swedish scientist, philosopher, and theologian Emanuel Swedenbog, was a well-known figure in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana during the first half of the 19th century. nineteenth century . Presumably, it was his rather unusual characteristics, such as his vehement quoting of theological texts and his fashion sense, consisting of a burlap shirt and bare feet, to which Johnny owes his more adventurous qualities.
Nevertheless, Chapman's actual deeds are also curious. His work began with the planting of his first apple orchard in Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania , which he planted with seeds he obtained from the local cider factories had collected. As the colonists pressed further west, Chapman is said to have packed his belongings and given his grove to a poor family, while he sailed in a catamaran cobbled together from two tree trunks. Ohio River sailed down. Chapman scouted routes that future settlers would likely take westward and grew apple seedlings from his seeds there. As he had expected, When the settlers arrived , he sold or gave them the seedlings.
Over the course of his career, Chapman hundreds of orchards many of which he handed over to other settlers when he moved on, only reappearing sporadically every few years – not to collect rent, but to check on the gardens and, if necessary, make improvements.
In his later years, Chapman is even said to have financial compensation foregoing his services, instead being completely satisfied with a dry place to sleep, a warm meal and perhaps an open ear for his views on religious texts and doctrines.
Even though many of the stories about Johnny Appleseed are probably at least victims of well-intentioned exaggeration and embellishment, it is undeniable that he played an important role in the spread of apples across the continent, but also in the Settlement of the country played himself.
Like their ancestors, many of the westward-moving settlers found comfort in the taste of alcohol, not to mention its health benefits, and cider, as mentioned, was an easy-to-produce version, even for the average American of the time in his home kitchen.
Apple Cider
The history of cider goes back almost as far as that of the apple itself.
The drink from We owe the fermented apples , which we know today by this name, to an early European high culture – but not to the Romans or Greeks, but the Celts .
As early as 3000 BC, the Celts produced food from the otherwise virtually inedible Ornamental apples a slightly alcoholic drink. The Romans, who had advanced as far as Britain in their campaigns, quickly adopted the recipe from the local inhabitants and refined its production by cultivating their own apple varieties.
The Celtic alcopop predecessor spread rapidly throughout Europe and the Mediterranean via Roman trade routes and remained popular there. after the fall of the Roman Empire a widely consumed beverage throughout Eurasia.
But cider wasn't just a soft drink as we know it today, especially in its British birthplace. From the 13th to well into the 19th century, 4 pints (about 2.4 liters) of cider was a regular part of life. part of the payment The farmers and field workers in England in the 14th century often did not give their children water, but... named after cider , as the slightly alcoholic beverage It was cleaner than plain water .
This was the main reason why early settlers in America initially used their fruit to make alcoholic beverages. Due to the methods used, the alcohol content was much lower than today, but it was sufficient to kill many bacteria, making the consumption of these mildly alcoholic drinks considerably safer. than drinking from local water sources .
The triumph of cider in America only ended in early 20th century with the further spread of Beer through new waves of immigration from Europe.
As American as Apple Pie (?)
A pinch of cinnamon and cloves, a crispy baked crust, and of course perfectly cooked apples - this is how you imagine the perfect apple pie before.
Today, it stands like almost no other dish for the quintessential American soul and comfort food. But in reality, the American history of... Apple Pie a very short and less significant period in the country's history than, for example, the influence of cider.
The oldest documented recipe for Apple Pie from England and goes back to the year 1381. The pie is similar in many ways to the typical apple pie of today, with a top crust and filling. Even the ingredient list, while somewhat quirky in its wording, doesn't sound unfamiliar in its basic premise: "good apples, good spices, figs, raisins and pears."
The ingredients were prepared with Saffron The fruit is colored, covered with a dough crust, and baked until it reaches the desired doneness. There are variations of this recipe. with and without additional soil crust, which appears to have been a later addition to the recipe.
With the widespread distribution of apples across the continent, it wasn't long before the sweet dessert also spread beyond national borders and gave rise to some local variations.
Dutch apple pie, also known as " appeltaerten ," is initially prepared like its English counterpart. After the first baking, however, the crust is removed and the filling is mixed with a little cream. The pie then... back into the oven until the mixture inside has dried.
Another variant is the French one. Apple tart . Here, the construction plan of the English pie is turned on its head. Instead of a top crust, the tart only has a base crust on which the ingredients, which otherwise serve as filling, are layered. caramelize The cake will retain its shape after being cut. An interesting exception to this is... Tarts from Normandy , which follow the British example much more closely, including the top crust.
Apple pie is also a popular dessert in Sweden, enjoyed by all age groups. However, this version is more of a... Apple crumble , mixed with breadcrumbs instead of a traditional pie crust. The Swedes also have another variation of apple pie, the " äppelkaka ". Spongecake are mixed into the apple pieces.
Last but not least, there is the Austrian version: Apple strudel . Apart from the apples, there are hardly any similarities to the English recipe. One side of a thin sheet of puff pastry (instead of the typical thick pie crust) is covered with apple compote The sheet is brushed with butter and then rolled up. Unlike other apple pies, this strudel is baked in a rectangular shape baked instead of in The traditional round pie shape . The way it's cut is also different. Apple pie and its variations are usually served in triangular slices. Strudel, on the other hand, due to its rectangular shape, is more often sliced and served. similar to stollen .
All variations share the same traditional toppings. Apple pie, apple strudel, apple tart, etc., are usually served with a scoop of ice cream or a blob cream or Vanilla pudding .
But back to America.
When the yields of local American fruits were reduced by the import of European honeybees finally began to rise and the Hygiene standards And by improving the water they used, the settlers were finally free to use their fruit for purposes other than just cider.
And so it was only a matter of time before the first home ovens were filled with the smell of freshly baked apples.
The first recorded mention of a American apple pies origins from the year 1697 and the first purely American cookbook "American Cookery" The document from 1796 even contains two different recipes for what is called the "typically American" cake.
Interestingly, European origin of the court from this point on systematically hidden and the Apple Pie to the symbol for American patriotism explained, in a way that we still know him today. The iconic motto then emerged in the 1940s. “As American as Apple Pie” as an expression of national pride.
Ultimately, the pure American episode but more of an epilogue in the centuries-old history of the apple pie, and not the purely American national saga that many promote it as.
If you want to know how Sabine Ryan If you're baking your apple pie, then you'll find... Here is her very personal recipe :
And for those who would like to try it themselves, we have everything the aspiring pie baker needs:
- Glass pie dish by Anchor Hocking
- Glass mixing bowl by Anchor Hocking
- Gluten-free baking mix for pie crust
- Apple Pie Spice
- Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract from Nielsen-Massey
- Brown sugar
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
With the large increase in yield, apples quickly became a Consumer goods . Local orchards gradually disappeared as America transformed into an increasingly urban society. Ultimately, the multitude of imported and newly bred apple varieties of two species were largely displaced from the daily lives of Americans and the mass market on the continent.
“Red Delicious” and "Golden Delicious" from the Stark Bro's Nursery in Louisiana These names have been established household names since the 1920s. And of course, there's a little story behind this success.
The origin of the "Red Delicious" variety is not very spectacular, as it is simply a cultivar from the company's own orchards that proved to be particularly productive.
The story behind the "Golden Delicious" variety is already... somewhat more sensationalist .
According to company legend, Co-owner Paul Stark Stark noticed the fruit of farmer Anderson Mullins, who had sent samples to the company for two consecutive years, hoping for a collaboration. Impressed by the fruit, Stark traveled 1,000 miles by train and then another 20 miles on horseback to Odessa, West Virginia. Once there, he felt like the Victim of a nasty trick . The trees he inspected were merely a mix of wild saplings and inbred hybrids. Disappointed, Stark was about to leave when he stopped and saw a solitary tree standing on a small hill near the river, which looked "as if it had been directly from the Garden of Eden , it was planted there, and its branches bent under the heavy weight of numerous large apples.
Stark immediately bought the tree for today Equivalent of $100,000 and, to protect the tree from local fruit thieves, placed it in a huge metal frame, similar to a birdcage , secure – the company's trademark for the following years.
The success of these apple varieties is reflected in modern American consumerism. Unlike in Germany, where fruit displays often feature varieties such as... Gala , Braeburn , Pink Lady The motto "offering a wide selection" still applies in many American stores. “one red, one yellow, one green” – or to put it another way: “Red Delicious”, "Golden Delicious" and "Granny Smith".
On a side note:
The typically green apple variety " Granny Smith " is not an American apple variety. It was bred by chance by Maria Ann Smith , a native Englishwoman who emigrated to Australia with her husband in the mid-nineteenth century. According to tradition, the apples for her breeding came from from Tasmania .
This limited selection does not mean, however, that apples play a minor role in the United States. The USA is a global player in... Ranked second among apple producers , surpassed only by China, and the apple is the second most consumed fruit in the country. Right after the banana . However, the majority of the over 2,000 modern apple varieties in the USA are used for export or are sold in small local areas.
An Apple a Day keeps the Doctor away
Who doesn't know this saying?
Unlike "As American as Apple Pie," there's more than a grain of truth behind this old saying. Because the apple really does have many health-promoting properties , even if these do not come close to the almost magical qualities attributed to it in the 19th century.
Apples are free from fat , sodium and cholesterol and are at the same time a good source of Fiber and vitamin C , one of the few vitamins that the human body cannot produce itself.
Apples are also a wonderful diet snack. Not only are they fat-free, as mentioned, but they also contain fiber and other nutrients. contained water quickly cause a A feeling of fullness that prevents cravings and similar symptoms.
And unlike other fruits, apples are also practical and easy to eat – even on the go. Unlike oranges and the like, No annoying peeling required .
So instead of an energy bar or protein shake during your next diet, simply... If you bite into the sour apple once in a while , the next piece of apple pie – whether British, American, French or Austrian – will taste all the better.
For those who want to enjoy the aroma of freshly baked apple pie, sparkling cider, and the like without any guilt, we recommend our deliciously fragrant Scented candles from Country Candle :
- Warm Apple Pie scented candle by Country Candle
- Apple Cider Cake scented candle by Country Candle
- Macintosh Apple scented candle by Country Candle
And if you still haven't had your fill of apples, then stay tuned for our next blog post where we'll take a very close look at what is probably the world's most famous apple – the Big Apple .
