Apples are cultivated worldwide but they originate from the popular genus Malus, which originated from its wild growing ancestor Malus Sieversii (which can still be found growing wild) in central Asia. There are over 7500 cultivars of apples worldwide which are bred for eating raw, cooking, cider or apple juice production. A proudly South African apple product that now gets exported to over 20 countries around the world is Appletiser. This delicious sparkling apple drink was first produced in 1966 in the Elgin Valley, Western Cape by a French Italian immigrant Edmond Lombardi. You can make a version of our famous, refreshing Appletiser by mixing equal quantities of pure apple juice with carbonated water – add ice, sit back and enjoy!
With the festive season fast approaching, I have decided to share my delicious apple sauce recipe with you. It’s an ideal condiment to pork – keep reading to find this delicious, easy-as-pie recipe ☺.
What’s in it for me?
The well-known English saying ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ contains a core message! Apples are full of nutrients! They are particularly high in fibre (4,5mg per medium apple), Vitamin C which supports the immune system, the B-complex vitamins and antioxidants. These antioxidants support digestion and gut health (apples contain pectin, a soluble fibre which serves as a prebiotic feeding the good bacteria in your gut. Pectin absorbs water producing a gel like substance which helps promote regular bowl movements). There is also significant evidence that apples promote lung health, help protect against chronic illness including reducing the risk of various cancers, reducing heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol therefore lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation. Apples also promote weight management by slowing digestion so that you feel fuller after eating them and help in managing type 2 diabetes. Apples contain a unique bone building compound Phlorizin which can improve bone density and reduce bone breakdown in women after menopause.
An a-peeling reason for eating apple skin: it contains Quercetin which helps boost our immune systems and reduces inflammation, plus apple skin is full of that gut healthy fibre mentioned earlier.
“Surely the apple is the noblest of fruits.” Henry David Thoreau
In-Cider Information!
Interestingly, apples grown from seed are usually vastly different from their parent cultivars. Apple growers therefore propagate new apple trees by clonal grafting onto rootstocks to ensure transference of cultivar characteristics to new trees.
Branching Out: The Best Apple Types in SA
As a child, there were three types of apples available: Red, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. Over the years many new varieties of apples have arrived in our stores including:
Let’s Hear a Round of Apple-ause!
This delicious Fresh Apple Sauce recipe is ridiculously easy to make and has the fresh, tart/sweet, full-of- goodness flavour that the bottled versions lack. I developed the recipe as a condiment to accompany my fabulous Cider Braised Pork Neck Roast, but it is delicious with pork of any kind. I hope you make this delicious recipe! Let me know if you do!
Fresh Apple Sauce
A delicious fruity accompaniment to compliment Pork.
Ingredients:
- 2 apples (tart green apples give best results)
- 45 ml sugar
- 60 ml water
- Pinch cloves
- Large pinch cinnamon
Large microwavable dish or jug – or use a pot on the stove. Blender (I use a hand held blender)
Method:
- Peel and core the apples.
- Chop up apple into small pieces.
- Place chopped apple into microwaveable dish or jug (or a pot) and
Add the sugar, water, cloves and cinnamon. - Place in the microwave and cook for 3 – 5 minutes on high until
the apple is very soft.
If cooking in a pot, bring to the boil and cook with the lid on the pot for 10 – 15 minutes until the apple is very soft. - Remove from the heat and blend until smooth.
- Place into a serving dish, cover well and place in fridge.
- Serve at room temperature with pork roast/chops.
NOTE: Any crisp apple can be used for this apple sauce (but not golden delicious). If the apples are very sweet only use 30 ml sugar and then adjust to taste once cooked.

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