Are apples citrus? (+3 apple facts)

In this brief guide, we are going to answer “are apples citrus?” and discuss what are citrus fruits, do apples have citric acid, is apple juice a citrus juice, do apple seeds contain cyanide, and why should we eat apples.

Are apples citrus?

No, apples are fruits but not citrus. Apples belong to the Malus genus while citrus fruits are fruits coming from the Citrus genus of flowering trees and shrubs.

Apples have a sweet edible skin, a solid flesh without pulp and the core contains seeds. While citrus fruits have a juicy pulp and a leathery peel which is bitter in taste and no one likes to eat it. 

Apples are members of the rose family and they are pomaceous fruits, meaning that they are accessory fruits (some part of the fruit is derived from the flower’s ovary and some part from the adjacent tissues exterior to the carpel). 

The word “pome” is usually referred to an apple or apple- shaped object. Pome fruits have several small seeds in their core which is surrounded by an edible layer of flesh enclosed by a tough and edible skin.

What are citrus fruits?

Citrus fruits are easy to peel and consume the pulp along with white color part called pith, so they are considered as the fleshy fruits. Some common citrus fruits are oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, mandarins and pomelos and they come from the 

Citrus fruits have a strong aroma and a pungent flavor because they are full of citric acid and high in Vit C (ascorbic acid). 

Do apples have citric acid?

Apples have citric acid but only in small amounts. They are considered sub- acidic or low- acidic fruits. Some other low acidic fruits are mangoes, peaches, apricots, grapes, raisins and pears etc. 

Is apple juice a citrus juice?

No, apple juice is not a citrus juice because apples are not citrus.

Do apple seeds contain cyanide?

No, and also yes,  there is a chemical called amygdalin that is present in the apple seeds in a very minimum amount, and this chemical is converted into hydrogen cyanide inside our body. So, consuming a very large amount of apple seeds can be fatal. 

Why should we eat apples?

Well, you have heard the proverb “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Apples give you about 52 kcal of energy and various nutrients such as:

  • Carbohydrates (sugars + dietary fibers), fats, proteins
  • Vitamins- including Vit A, C, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and Vit B9
  • Minerals- including calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, iron, sodium and potassium
  • Phytochemicals such as polyphenols 

Apples help in preventing various diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinson’s disease, Asthma, type 2 diabetes, hemorrhoids, gallstones etc.

Other FAQs about Apples that you may be interested in.

Can dogs eat apple skin?

Can you eat apples with a crown?

What are the best apples for charoset?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered “are apples citrus?” and discussed what are citrus fruits, do apples have citric acid, is apple juice a citrus juice, do apple seeds contain cyanide, and why should we eat apples.

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple
  2. https://www.livestrong.com/article/429954-which-is-healthier-an-apple-or-an-orange/
  3. https://www.gardenguides.com/13429048-is-an-apple-a-citrus-fruit.html