Apple

An apple is a round pome fruit with thin skin, crisp flesh, and a central core of small seeds. Flavor ranges from tart to honeyed, often with a juicy crunch; it eats well raw and softens into tender pieces when cooked. Common uses include snacking, salads, pies, crisps, sauces, and roasting; sold by variety fresh (loose or bagged) and also as pre-sliced packs, cider, and applesauce.

Domesticated in Central Asia, apples spread through Europe and later the Americas via trade and cultivation. They thrive in temperate regions and are harvested mainly in late summer and fall; modern orchards employ controlled-atmosphere storage to supply markets year-round.