How To Prevent Your Apple Slices From Browning
It is surprising to note that there’s a lot of methods on how to stop your sliced up apples from becoming brown. But what is more surprising is the fact that there’s actually only 1 way for you to prevent your apple cuts from becoming brown with using the least effort on your part.
Let us first discuss why these apples are becoming brown.
Try picking a ripe apple fruit off from its tree then you will notice that it will usually last for a couple weeks before eventually rotting then becoming soft. However, those freshly cut and sliced up apples are becoming brown immediately after those chemicals, that are inside the fruit which contains iron, reacts with oxygen from our air.
This is something that all of us encounter everyday, when those iron-based objects becomes rusted or the scabs on your cuts turn brown. This chemical reaction is being referred as “oxidation”, while the particular enzyme which causes oxidation is named “polyphenol oxidase”, or commonly referred to as “tyrosinase”.
Actually, there are so many cells present inside 1 apple fruit, and when you cut the fruit open, these cells gets exposed to oxygen which is present in our air, so it causes the fruit to become brown. A bruised apple fruit has signs of some oxidation already.
When the fruit drops from a tree, its cell walls are broken so the cells then can freely flow inside, causing it to react towards the air inside that fruit. Yes, there’s air inside apple fruits, and that it is said that these fruits are made of 20 percent air, hence why apples float!.
Now, we’ve established what is causing this phenomenon in our apples we now have to determine how it could be stopped. 1 very common method is drizzling extract of a lemon onto the cut up apples. However, this method will change its taste.
When lemon juices are mixed with water, this mixture is then called an “acidulated water” mix. Lime is okay also as a replacement for the lemons. This water plus acid mix could also work for other fruits, such as avocados, pears & peaches.
Other juices are also fine to be substituted to prevent apples from browning – orange, pineapple and apple juices are examples. Some people are even using a popular soda, Sprite. There’s also that commercialized product in the market, commonly known also as “Fruit fresh”, and just like those other juices mentioned, these liquid could also cause change the apple’s taste & flavor.
Investing on those shrink-wrap machines are also another option to prevent the apples from browning. This is commonly practiced by several supermarkets selling fruits. However, this method is a very expensive investment which will require one to purchase several shrink wraps.
So take note of all my tips and hopefully you get good results with whatever method you choose to use.
Best Tips To Grow Your Own Apple Trees
Having your own apple trees right at your backyard is one gratifying experience. Isn’t it enjoyable to have your daily source of fresh and healthy apples every day?
Besides, planting your own apple shrubs or trees offer you the privilege to choose what kind or variety you prefer to have at your convenience. Unlike when you purchase from fruit shops and groceries where you only have very limited choices.
Growing apples require careful attention because these trees only grow well in cold atmospheres yet they also need a minimum of 6 hrs of sun exposure during hot summer days. Since apples require cold environment and some sunlight, these plants are perfectly cultivated within the northern part of our Earth where cold temperature can go from 32ºF-45ºF.
You might have noticed that plant or orchard centers normally put labels on the seedlings to indicate where these trees will grow accordingly. These procedures are based on the procedures made by the US Agricultural Department.
The matured apple shrubs are relatively big so you must allocate enough space before planting. Also, you should understand that full maturity of the plant takes about one decade. Only after this period, the matured plants are capable of producing bountiful harvest.
Apple shrubs are beneficial plants in your plot because they provide shade from sunlight. However, similar to oak and maple trees, apple loses its leaves during winter time so the fallen leaves can serve as organic fertilizer in your plot. Aside from these benefits, you would harvest even more from your apple trees when you choose the proper location and cultivate it in well-prepared soil.
You should plant it in loam-type soil with 6.5 pH level with proper drainage.
The main parts of well-grown apple plants include its rootstock and scion. The former becomes the stems, flowers, leaves and fruits while rootstock identifies the plant measurement and its ability to withstand drought, diseases and pests. The normal apple shrub grows about 20 feet whereas the dwarf variety grows from 8 – 10 feet. The semi-dwarf tree grows from 10 to 15 feet but all of these varieties bear fruits of equal sizes.
Usually, when you plant apple seedlings, you should combine two flowers from different kinds to induce pollination. In order to cultivate fruit-bearing tree, buy a seedling from garden stores and ask the assistance of your seller to guide you choose the best variety.
Insects such as bees help hasten pollination so it’s advisable not to spray insecticides in the course of this season. Proper timing is also important in growing apple plants or trees. The best period to cultivate them is during November although late March is also acceptable.
When you purchase seedlings, you must avail of the ones with good and healthy roots. You should not have any problems with this because apple seedlings are often sold with exposed roots so you must sow them once you have bought them.
When you plant apple seedlings, you must prepare a plot that is sufficient to contain its roots. You should see to it that its roots are scattered so it won’t intertwine with each other. Put the soil firmly so its roots hold properly to the land but maintain the grafted portion over the ground. It’s best to hold the plant with strong post or stick once you’ve put it beneath the ground.
You should place adequate soil covering to maintain water and prevent growing of weeds. During winter season, you must add more soil within the area near the seedling in order to prevent it from the sudden changes in temperature.
After several years of cultivating, your apple plants are expected to produce fruits. In this phase, you should harvest the fruits in proper manner. You must hold the branch tightly and slowly turn the ripe apple until it detaches from its branch.
Your apple fruits are preferably consumed right after picking because it’s fresh and sweet. However, when you like to have them later, better maintain the branch attached to the ripe apple fruit. Harvest the fruits in different days so the reaped apples won’t ripe all at once.
It’s important to learn how to trim or prune apple plants because they must be cropped occasionally to maintain proper growth. When you intend to raise your apple plants or trees, you should know grafting and other horticultural skills to commence this attempt.
Irish Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
Cored apples
Brown sugar
Cinnamon or cloves; pounded
Lemon rind; grated
Marmalade juice
Water
Puff paste
Ready-made pie crust
Instructions:
Cut cored apples into 4 or 8 pcs, depending on size. Arrange neatly on top of pie in bake dish. Season w/ spice of choice or lemon rind.
Squeeze in small amount or marmalade to add flavor. Pour in little amount of water then cover w/ paste, then bake it for 60 mins.
>> Irish Apple Pie Recipe
Best Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
2 pcs of cooking apples (medium-sized); pared, cored, and cut up
Sugar
Cinnamon
Lemon zest
Pastry
Instructions:
Place apples inside a pie dish (lined with pastry), sprinkle sugar, cinnamon and small amount of water then cover pastry on top. Bake on high heat till browned then reduce the heat to low and continue to bake for 15 mins.
>> Best Apple Pie Recipe
Apple Custard Pie Recipe 3
Ingredients:
Apples (sour); peeled
3 pcs of eggs (for one pie)
1/3 c of butter (for one pie)
1/3 c of sugar (for one pie)
Nutmeg
Instructions:
Stew the apples till softened and water inside has reduced to almost gone. Rub stewed apples through strainer.
Beat eggs then add sugar and butter. Combine with the apples then season it with ground nutmeg.
>> Apple Custard Pie Recipe 3
Apple Trifle Recipe
Ingredients:
Tart apples; peeled, cored and quartered
Orange and quince rind
Sugar
1 pint of whipped cream; flavored w/ lemon peel
Instructions:
Stew apples and 1 strip each of your quince and orange rind w/ enough water, covering bottom part of stewpan. Then add in sugar (1/2 lb sugar to 1 lb of fruit).
Once cooked, squeeze the fruit pulp gently through sieve. When pulp cools, pour into a deep dish then top w/ one pint lemon-flavored whipped-cream.
>> Apple Trifle Recipe
Apple Custard Pie Recipe 2
Ingredients:
3 c of milk
4 pcs of eggs
1 c of sugar
2 c of stewed apples (strained through a colander)
Flavoring with nutmeg
Instructions:
Beat egg yolks and egg whites. Place yolks in a mixing bowl, add apples, and flavoring; mix them well.
Add milk then last the egg whites; mix thoroughly. Pour onto a half-baked crust and bake like any custard pie.
>> Apple Custard Pie Recipe 2