Apples

Apples
In United States, apples are grown in practically every state. They are grown commercially in 35 states with the heaviest production taking place in Washington, New York, Virginia, Michigan, California, and Pennsylvania. There are hundreds of varieties of apples that may be grown on trees produced from seedlings that were grown in nurseries, or from grafts on existing apple tree. The fruit is developed on spurs formed by branchlets of three or more years to growth, the tree yielding for many years thereafter. Fertilizer of the soil and periodic pruning and thinning of apple trees are considered necessary for good apple crops.

Apples are used as the fresh fruit, and apples not suitable for fresh fruit are used for the production of juice, cider, sauce, vinegar, jam, jelly, pie filling and as an ingredient in a variety of baked goods. Pectin is extracted from the peels and cores.

After harvesting, the fruit are washed in dilute HCL or NaOH solutions to remove spray residues and are rinsed. Apples are cooled to and stored at 32 degree F until shipped. Increased storage life is attained by reducing the amount of oxygen and increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere around the apples.
Apples