I N G R E D I E N T
BAKERY REVIEW
Apple a Day By Jhuma Biswas
A
pple is a widely consumed edible fruit, which is borne by the apple tree (Malus domestica). Apple tree was originated in Central Asia. It is believed that apple was domesticated between 4000-10000 years ago in the Tian Shan mountains, a large system of mountain ranges in Central Asia. Apples rolled into continental Europe through the famed Silk Route. In the UK, the fruit arrived in the late 11th century. Apples have been grown in Asia and Europe through millennia. European colonists could be credited for introducing apples to North America. China is the largest producer of apples across the world, followed by European Union. According to statista, during the 2019/2020 crop year, China was the highest producer of apples worldwide, followed by European Union.
Global and Indian Production A c c o rd i n g t o d a t a f ro m Fo o d a n d Ag r i c u l t u re O rg a n i z at i o n Co r p o rate S tat i s t i ca l D ata b as e ( FAOSTAT ) t h at disseminates statistical data collected and maintained by the Food and Agriculture
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Organization (FAO), during 2016 and 2017 China was the highest producer of apples in the world, followed by the European Union. According to FAOSTAT, in 2018, the global production of apples was 86 million tonnes, and China accounted 46 percent of it. India is also one of the major global producers of apples. As per Statista, India ranked fifth in the list of apple producing countries during 2019-20 crop year. The US, Turkey, Iran, Italy and Poland are among other major producer of apples in the world. In India, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Arunachal Pradesh are the major apple producing states. Jammu & Kashmir accounts for more than 75 percent of India’s apple production.
In fact, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh together account for more than 95 percent of India’s total apple production.
Cultivation Concerns According to National Horticulture Board, apples grow best on well-drained, loam soils having a depth of 45 cm and a pH range of pH 5.5-6.5. The soil should be free from hard substrata and water-logged conditions. Soils with heavy clay or compact subsoil are to be avoided for the production of apples. The average summer temperature should be around 21-24 degree C during active growth period of apples. “Apple succeeds best in regions where the trees experience uninterrupted rest in winter and abundant sunshine for good colour development. Apples can be grown at an altitude of 1500- 2700 m above the sea level. Well-distributed rainfall of 10001250mm throughout the growing season is most favourable for optimum growth and fruitfulness of apple trees,” maintained the website of the National Horticulture Board.
Culinary Applications Apple has several culinary applications. The
Oct-Nov ’20
