“The Power of Fruit” takes you on a seed to table journey of nature’s candy.
Every holiday season follows the same routine: You eat all the cookies and cakes, you drink all the cocoa, cocktails, and bubbly, and each night you say, “The diet starts January 1st!” But diets don’t have to be about just counting calories and eating joyless and bland chicken breasts.
Add some color to your New Year’s resolution with these 24 types of fruits that carry vitamins and nutrients, and help with your skin, gut health, and general well-being. It’s not just apples that keep the doctor away…
Apples
With 7,500 different varieties — more than 100 of which grow in the United States — apples are as versatile as they are delicious. Whether red, green, or yellow, apples can be used in sweet and savory dishes. They're a good source of nutrient fiber, with about 4 grams per serving. The juice of an apple was one of the earliest prescribed antidepressants, and although there's no scientific data to back it up, you can't go wrong with a tall, cold glass of apple juice.
Cherries
More than 1,000 varieties of cherries grow in the wild, but fewer than 10 are grown commercially to produce fruit. Two main types grow in the U.S.: sweet cherries and tart or "sour" cherries. In ancient Greek mythology, cherry trees contained the "elixir" that gave gods their immortality, while ancient Chinese lore said the magical Phoenix slept on a bed of cherry blossoms to attain everlasting life. Cherry trees are thought to have originated in Turkey and southwest Asia before spreading around the globe.
Figs
There are no blossoms on fig branches. Rather, the flowers are inside the fig itself and make up those crunchy seeds that give figs their unique texture. How they get pollinated is fascinating: Nearly every species of fig tree is pollinated by its own distinct species of fig wasp! If your diet prohibits you from consuming dairy, try eating figs. A half-cup of this fruit has as much calcium as an 8-ounce glass of milk. Figs are delicious raw or dried, and can add texture and sweetness to any dish.
Lemons
Thought to have originated in northwestern India, the true origin of lemons is unknown. I'd like to say my grandpappy invented them; however, this famously sour fruit was introduced to southern Italy around 200 AD — way before his time — and has been cultivated in Iran and Egypt since 700 AD. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spaniard colonizers planted lemons and other fruits in Florida and California, where they continue to flourish to this day. Lemons carry lots of vitamin C: The juice of a single one provides more than half your recommended daily intake. They also helped fight scurvy in sailors who were traveling from Europe to North America. In 17th century France, during the reign of King Louis XIV, women used lemons to redden their lips.
Mango
Mangoes are considered the most popular fruit in the world because of their incredible reach and vast cultural significance. Experts estimate that more than 20 million tons of mangoes are grown and consumed around the world each year. Mangoes are the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines; India considers them a symbol of love and friendship. Mangoes carry a large amount of vitamin A, which helps keep your skin looking young and healthy. Watch out for the trees, though. Sap from mango trees contains urushiol, an oily allergenic chemical that is the same oil found in poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
Oranges
Oranges are one of the most popular berries (yes, they're actually a berry) around the world, with over 600 varieties. This delightful citrus fruit found its origins in Southeast Asia in 4000 B.C. before making its way to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Rome, and ancient Greece. Oranges were very popular with Europeans in the 6th and 7th centuries. This wasn't because of their fruit (which was quite bitter) but rather their fragrant blossoms that were planted in royal gardens. Thanks to the Portuguese, we have the sweet oranges we know and love today.
Peaches
Peaches are arguably one of the most nutritious fruits overall, containing large amounts of vitamins A, C, E, K, B, calcium, potassium, and zinc. Peaches originated in China and have been cultivated since at least 1000 B.C. No one type of peach is dominant in the U.S., where they are either labeled as white-fleshed or yellow-fleshed when sold. Peaches are a favorite summer fruit and, just like apples, make for an excellent pie filling.
Pears
China began growing pears as far back as 1134 B.C., but they didn't take off in Europe until the 17th and 18th centuries, when they became an obsession for the wealthy. The U.S. has become the dominant grower in the world today, growing 84% of all pears, 12 varieties in all. Harry & David alone grows and harvests 13,000 tons of pears each year and is one of the world's largest producers of the Comice varietal. This deliciously buttery pear is better known as the Royal Riviera Pear. They're one of the most fragile commercially grown fruits in the world, requiring extra care during the picking and shipping process.
Persimmons
Native to China, persimmons have been cultivated for centuries, with over 2,000 cultivars around today. The most widely cultivated persimmon is the Asian and Japanese variety, the Diospyros kaki. Persimmons can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked. They are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and B, and are rich in iron, manganese, and potassium. Should you want them delivered to your door, simply wait until November.
Pineapple
Although we associate pineapples with Hawaii, just over 10% of the pineapple consumed in the U.S. comes from the 50th state. The average American eats around eight pounds of fresh pineapple each year, plus two pounds of canned pineapple. It can take up to three years for a pineapple plant to fully mature before it begins bearing fruit. Each individual pineapple can take an additional year to grow from a blossom to something that's ripe and edible.
Pumpkins
This gourd-geous fruit — yes, fruit, not vegetable — is believed to have originated in Central America over 7,500 years ago. Pumpkins are related to cucumbers, squash, and watermelons, the latter of which makes sense since the word "pumpkin" comes from the Greek word "peopon," meaning "large melon." More than 70 different pumpkin varieties are grown in the U.S., including Baby Boos, We Be Littles, Jack Be Littles, Cinderellas, Fairytales, and Long Island Cheeses.
Strawberries
The U.S. produces the most strawberries in the world, at more than 1.5 billion pounds a year. Why are they called "strawberries?" Historians debate the etymology of the word. Some believe it comes from the pickers who carried the berries on straw or the fact that they look like they have pieces of straw embedded in them. During ancient times, strawberries were treasured for their medicinal properties. Today, they're considered a popular aphrodisiac, especially around Valentine's Day, and pair well with chocolate and wine (cue romantic music and dimmed lights).
