"An apple a day, keeps the doctor away". This is an old phrase that was taught to us since our childhood days. It reflects the widespread understanding that apples are a healthy addition to a daily diet. While I was in Delhi, I made sure to have an apple every single day. Here the supply is limited in remote areas and prices were quite high. Apples are beloved globally due to their perfect combination of taste, convenience, nutritional value, and variety. However, I never seen an apple tree or ever seen a growing apple. India has varied climatic condition and our region never supports the farming apple fruit. On my last visit Jammu, with little luck I saw an apple orchid and saw some blooming apple.
Apples are grown in many parts of the world, making them affordable and available round the year. Apple farming requires cold climates. Jammu and Kashmir is ideal for apple farming due to its unique temperate climate, experiencing cold winters (crucial for dormancy) and mild summers, high altitude, and fertile soil. The region’s natural geography including snow fed water resources provides perfect conditions, with 75% of India's apple production coming from this region. Enroute to one of the tourist destination, I dropped at an Apple orchid to explore the budding fruits.
This is an ideal time to find budding apple in trees. There were numerous trees in the orchard and I get to see how different apple grows in different stem. I took few close up shots of each one of them.
The act of walking through the trees provides a sense of peace and a chance to get away from the busyness of life. It was sensory rich, nostalgic experience that feels like a "return to Eden" or a step back into a simpler time. I really liked my surprise stopping at the orchard that gives some unique memory. Next time I would like to pluck some ripped apple and hope it will be done soon.
In good faith - Peace!!
