Apples are the fruit of apple trees and are one of the most widely grown tree fruit.

Millions of tonnes of apples are grown every year.

There are thousands of different varieties of apples including Fuji, Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Pink Lady and Granny Smith.

Granny Smith apples originated in Australia in 1868 accidentally after a chance seedling by a woman named Maria Ann Smith.

While most apples are eaten fresh, they have other uses including juice making and cooking.

The apple tree originated in Central Asia.

China is the leading producer of apples.

Apples were taken to North America by European settlers.

Apple trees can be vulnerable to a number of different diseases and pests. Chemical sprays are often used to limit the damage but organic methods are also popular.

Honey bees are commonly used to pollinate apple trees.

Apple trees typically blossom in spring with fruit maturing in autumn.

Apple seeds contain a cyanide compound. Our body can handle small doses of this naturally occurring poison so you'd have to eat a huge number of seeds for it to have an effect, and even then the seeds are covered in a protective coating which keeps the cyanide compound safe inside.

An average apple contains around 130 calories.

It is believed that the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" originated in Wales in the 19th century. Sadly eating apples doesn't guarantee good health but they do have nutritional value and potential health benefits.

The apple genome was decoded in 2010.