Seema Muniz captures the delights of the ubiquitous apple, since its fall from grace in early Biblical times
It is that time of the year again, when I slip into a nostalgic spell as friends from North-Atlantic America begin posting photos of their leaf peeping excursions…the rich reds and oranges of maple leaves, the glossy browns of oaks, and the lemony yellows of elms.
The sense of familiarity lends itself to some solace arising from having been there and done that, and sadness from not being there now to experience the magic one more time. To be a witness to these colorful leaves completing the last leg of their journey, and writing their own epitaph with so much flair, is a liberating experience in itself.
For us, and for many New Yorkers, the leaf peeping drives went hand in hand with visiting apple orchards to pick bagfuls of our own fruits right off the trees. Having filled our bags to capacity with the ‘forbidden’ booty, we would lag them along to the in-house coffee-snack-and-gift shop to join the party of merry pickers feasting on hot apple cider spiced with cinnamon and clove. And for accompaniment, one could dig into anything from apple pies, cobblers, and pandowdies to crumbles or warm cider donuts!
Yes, visiting the neighbourhood orchards was a sought-after activity by most families, much as driving to countryside farms to find that perfect pumpkin which would adorn their porch to welcome the trick-or-treaters during Halloween. Come to think of it, it was a wonderful way to get in touch with the ground realities of life, as well as to build a rapport with one’s own farming community. Needless to say, this little seasonal exchange also gave impetus to the local economy.
It is in fact remarkable that despite this innocent apple being maligned since Biblical times, because of its association with the disgraceful fall of mankind, it has continued to enjoy the ranks of the worthy. Mothers, for examples, still call their offsprings, ‘apple of my eye’, most endearingly, while grannies like to harp on its medicinal properties, predictably concluding with, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away‘.
What’s more, it had to be an apple falling from the tree, which inspired the concept of gravity and revolutionised modern science. Is it a chance that the recording company launched by the Beatles, the most famous Rock and Roll band, was called Apple Corps?
To add yet another feather to the controversial, yet consistent high and mighty reputation of apples, today, the most famous, innovative and profitable corporation dealing with consumer electronics, founded by the late Steve Jobs, is also called Apple Inc. So, what more is there to say? Except that, despite much scheming, Satan could not succeed in making the apple fall from grace. He did, however, manage to entice us enough to steer our steps towards the apple orchards every fall, and succumb to temptation, year after year.
And Mother Nature beamed, as she proudly proclaimed, “Gorge my children gorge, on this blessed fruit, rich in vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants: three virtues packed in one. My gift to thee!”
Did you know that New York, the Big Apple state boasts of 24 varieties of apples? Right from Empire, McIntosh, Gala, Fiji, Honeycrisp, to Cortland, Red Delicious, Granny Smith and, Ginger Gold, to name a few that I can still remember.
So, you see how the sinful apple, once upon a time responsible for the downfall of mankind, has now redeemed itself by its omnipresence, spreading health and cheer all around.
Seema Muniz, a feature writer with the Times of India group in the nineties, is an avid reader and educationist, who homeschooled her son until tenth grade, while drifting between New York and Alaska with her family. She is also an artist, with a few solo and group shows in Albany, NY, to her credit.
yes. I have two friends in USA.
Every year they post buckets of apple they grow in their backyard garden.
I saw one of them has grown green apples, which is rarely seen here in India.
Nice feed.
Yes, those green apples are called Granny Smith, and are tart and crisp. I often used them in salads, along with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and steamed chick peas.
I am glad you enjoyed the article.