Apples...An Enduring Friend

… A member of the rose family...

If you look closely, the beautiful little flowers are the tip off that Malus domestica is actually a member of the rose family (Rosaceae).  Perhaps the apple is the earliest of cultivated trees and it certainly remains one of the most widely cultivated in the world today.  It is estimated that there are at least 75,000 varieties in existence, with the US and China as the leading producers. 

… The honey bee… does the job…

Apples are also linked with another of our favorites – honey.  Apple trees must be cross pollinated and it is the industrious honey bee that does the job. Being the subject of countless legends, proverbs and adages; apples are obviously a permanent fixture of our culture.  Many of the older strains have become very rare, although there have been great strides in the last couple of decades to preserve these precious heirlooms of the past.

…many savory dishes as well…

Apples in desserts are a staple and you can check out some of Avanti Savoia’s by visiting our own recipe dessert feature.  However, apples are use in many savory dishes as well.  I even use apples in my Tennessee Valley Pate with Fruit and Green Peppercorns, Pan – Seared Salmon Steaks with Apple – Scented Beurre Blanc.  You can also find some unusual and tasty salad combinations in our Salad section.

…this is the season to enjoy…

I am also fond of drinking my “apple a day” and this is the season to enjoy.  Every autumn the southeastern is brimming with freshly harvested apples and many of those apples end up being milled to produce non-alcoholic cider or filtered to make apple juice.

…hard cider and vinegar…

Cider can also be fermented (as the earliest settlers knew) to create hard cider and vinegar.  The resourceful Italians also produce Apple Balsamic Vinegar, two of which Avanti Savoia carries.  Both of our selections are produced by famed Balsamic Vinegar Company GiuseppeGiusti.  

…lots of personality…

First is the FiveYear Old Apple Balsamic, which we consider to be a perfect blend of sweet-and-sour-spicy-apple flavor. This apple balsamic vinegar has lots of personality. If you want more flavors for bland vegetable dishes, here it is! As with Traditional Balsamic Vinegar this vinegar is aged in oak barrels for syrupy texture & rich flavor.

…exquisite with anything containing apples…

Next is the premium 10 Year Old Apple Balsamic.  Slowly aged in oak, this distinctive apple balsamic vinegar is twice as old as our other Apple Balsamic vinegar. Thicker, richer and more sumptuous, you will find this vinegar exquisite with anything containing apples.  Hot apple turnovers with vanilla ice cream drizzled with Apple Balsamic anyone?

…tastes like apple cider…

As a baker I’m excited about our Apple Natural Flavor Blend by Silver Cloud Estates. This product tastes like apple cider when used in your favorite cake or cookie recipe.  Try this versatile, colorless flavoring in frosting, ice cream, beer and wine.

…a terrific gift idea

One other fine product featuring apples is the Apple Cinnamon Pancake Mix by famed Vermont maple sugar producer Highland Sugarworks. This mix is a high quality all natural and preservative-free pancake and waffle mix. We think that you will find it to be a perfect balance of Apple and Cinnamon.  Also check out the Sunday Morning Delight gift box.  Also from Highland Sugar works; buttermilk pancake mix with apples and cinnamon paired with cinnamon infused 100% pure maple syrup is a terrific gift idea.

October is National Apple Month so don’t miss it.  There are apple festivals everywhere of which we intend to attend a least one or two and report back in a future post.