What is apple, seb?

One of the most delicious of fruits, the apple is available almost all over the world, and almost throughout the year. They have earned a reputation for being nutritious, and you are sure to have heard the adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples have a round shape with a depression at the top where the stem is attached. Some apples are almost perfectly round, while others are more rounded at the top and narrower at the bottom. Apple fruits are firm and the skin is shiny and smooth. Apples come in all shades of red, green and sometimes yellow too. The flesh is white or ivory. Some varieties of apple and crisp and juicy while others are soft and sweet.

One thing you need to be aware of when buying and consuming apples is that they are usually exported all around the world, and are likely to be coated with wax before packaging. So, before consuming, lightly scrub apples in cool water to remove the light wax coating, dirt and any leftover insecticides.

Apple cubes

First core the apple and cut it into segments or strips. Then, line up the strips with your non-working hand and cut them into square pieces. Cube them as per the recipe's specifications regarding the size of the cubes (for example, "cut into ½-inch cubes"). Generally apples are cubed without removing the skin, but if the recipe requires peeled apple cubes, peel the apple and then cut into cubes of desired size.

Apple skins swirls

Apple swirls can be made by carefully moving a sharp thin knife on the inner side of the skin, with a twisting or whirling motion to make spiral shaped pieces. The swirls can be used to garnish desserts, apple pie or any fruit dish.

Apple sticks

To get Apple sticks, wash and clean the apple and using a sharp knife, cut vertically into half. Place one half on a chopping board and remove the seeds and core of the apple. Make vertical cuts using a sharp knife and cut into thick long sticks of 1/2" to 1" thickness. Cut more sticks from remaining apple halve. Use as required. To prevent the apple sticks from turning brown, place them in salted water till used.

Apple wedges

Select a sharp chef's knife. If required by the recipe, peel the apple, else start with the unpeeled fruit. Chop the apple into half and scoop out the seeds from the centre. Place the apple on a chopping board. Hold your knife comfortably, with your forefinger running down one side of the blade and your thumb pressed against the opposite side, and chop the apple into thick segments. Apple wedges are wonderful to garnish any cake or any dessert.

Chopped apple

Start with a peeled or unpeeled apple, as desired. Take a sharp knife and slice the apple from the top to remove the stem. Then cut it into half from the centre. Cut the half portion into another half and remove the seeds from centre. Chop the segments into small pieces approximately ¼ inch in diameter. If the recipe calls for the apple to be "roughly chopped," make the pieces slightly larger.

Deseeded apples

Apple corer is used to extract the core from the apple without cutting the apple into sections and then individually cutting out each part of the core. This tool has a circular cutting edge that is forced down into the apple, allowing the apple to remain whole so it can then be easily sliced into sections for eating it out of hand or baking it whole with the outer skin intact.

Grated apples

Use a grater to grate the apple thinly or thickly as required by the recipe. You can use peeled or unpeeled apple as per the recipe requirement. Thinly grated apples can be added to beverage, while thickly grated ones can go into salads.

Sliced apples

Scoop out the top and bottom stems of the apple using a lemon baller. Peel the apple, if you would like. Then, cut the apple in half. Slice using a sharp knife by cutting vertically across the cutting board. Slice the apple thinly or thickly as per the recipe requirement. Sliced apples are often used to garnish apple pies, apple crumble or stewed apples.

How to select apple, seb

• Look for well coloured apples that are firm, with a fresh (not musty) fragrance.
• Skins should be smooth, with no bruises.

Culinary Uses of apple, seb in Indian Cooking

• Apples are a favourite fruit, the world over. They are enjoyed as it, or added to salads, baked dishes, juices, other beverages and a variety of cooked foods too. 

• Once cut, apples will discolour if left open to the air. To avoid discoloration, dip in an ascorbic juice (such as pineapple or lemon), sprinkle cut surfaces with lemon juice or cover with a cling film and keep refrigerated till use. Click on to know how to store whole apple.

• Apples can be baked in an oven and served with custard or put into an apple pie or apple crumble. Try our recipe using apple in baking like Apple Pie, Apple crisp Pudding, Low calorie apple crumble, Baked apple cottage cheese pie, French apple tart.

• Bake an apple till soft, remove the core, and stuff with other fruits, brown sugar, raisins, or cinnamon, to make a delectable dessert. 

• Apples are a natural way to sweeten cooked cereals, such as oatmeal, and they make wonderful desserts when baked in pies, cakes, muffins, and Apple cobblers. 

• Dried apple slices keep well and make a fine snack.  

• Apple juice, Apple cinnamon milkshake, Apple cinnamon ice cream and Apple jam with cinnamon are a favourite with most kids. 

• Apple sauce can be made by cooking apples with sugar and water, and adding other ingredients such as nuts, vanilla essence, banana to make Apple banana steel cut oats 

• Hot Apple cider is best when your are suffering from cold or during rainy season.

How to store apple, seb

• Store apples in a plastic bag in a cool and dark place of your refrigerator. Cold, humid storage ensures that apples maintain their crispness, juicy texture and full flavour.
• Cut apples turn brown quickly, especially when chopped finely or grated. Sprinkle a little lemon juice on the surface to prevent this.

Health benefits of apple, seb

Being low in sodium, apples are effective against high blood pressure because of its diuretic effect. Don't peel the fruit to get maximum apple benefits. Two-thirds of the fibre and lots of antioxidants are found in the peel. Apple benefits diabetics as the soluble fibre assists in regulating blood sugar and is heart friendly. See detailed 9 health benefits of apple.   

Glycemic Index of Apple, Seb, Safarchand.
Apple has a Glycemic Index of 39 which is low. Glycemic Index are for foods you eat, ranks carbohydrate-containing foods by how quickly they digest and raise your blood sugar or glucose levels. Foods rank from 0 to 50 are low GI, 51 to 69 are medium and 70 to 100 are high. Foods that are high in GI are not suitable for weight loss and diabetics. Foods like Apple have a low GI and hence don't spike your glucose level as they are absorbed slowly. Great for weight loss.

Try Recipes using Apple

• Apple Crumble ( Microwave Recipes)
• Apple, Banana and Date Salad
• Apple Crisp Pudding
• Apple Jalebi ( Eggless Desserts Recipe)
• Apple Strudel
• Apple and Oats Milkshake
• Apple Slices with Vanilla Cream ( Low Calorie Healthy Cooking)
• Apple Rolls with Vanilla Cream
• Apple and Saffron Sauce
• Apple Rabdi, Seb Rabri, Apple Rabadi