A fruitful fruit: apples in the East

By Pia Tuominen

Apples helped develop the theory of gravity, decreased doctor visits, poisoned Snow White, and tempted Adam and Eve to sin; when one thinks of the symbolism in flora, it is likely that this pome initially comes to mind. Various acclaimed artists, including Paul Cézanne, René Magritte, Claude Monet, and Paul Bellardo, all favored apples in their paintings because of their complex implications and vibrant hues. Furthermore, they are present in folklore, fairy tales, myth, anthologies, and even scientific anecdotes; the stories are endless. Why does this fleshy fruit in particular have so much to tell and express?

The apple’s most prominent connotations are predominantly rooted in Western society, but they originated in the Tian Shan mountains, which cover China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, where they were discovered by Paleolithic hunter-gatherers. They carry a profound legacy in China, Turkey, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Respecting apples’ heritage alongside their more famous discussions allows us to broaden our understanding and perspective of the produce we ingest. 

In 1929, the main ancestor of the domesticated apple, Malus domestica, was found to be the wild crabapple species Malus sieversii, which is naturally plentiful in Kazakhstan’s forests. Almaty, Kazakhstan, was nominated ‘the city of apples’ and is hereby named after the Kazakh word for apple, ‘alma’ or ‘алма’ in Cyrillic. In the city, apples are proudly displayed on billboards, sculptures, murals, and drawings, and are known as Almaty’s pride. Kazakhstan is recognized for their Aport apple, vibrantly colored and flourishing in the harsh, rocky environment. To locals, abundance and prosperity manifest in the Aport, commending the tenacity and spirit of Kazakh farmers through the art, literature, and song the fruit appears in.

In September every year, Almaty organizes a festival appreciating its connection with apples. Locals and tourists bond over Kazakhstan’s history and sample the fruits raw, cooked, or processed into beverages and preserves. The festival features vivacious music, contests, and workshops for apple-themed crafts such as pottery.

Tajikistan is also a key location for apples, hosting a diverse selection of species. Fruits, especially apples, are revered and treasured in Tajikistan, consumed during major events. Apples are eaten in Tajik namings of newborn children and represent birth.

In spite of apples being a spectacular addition to a balanced diet, they don’t prolong one’s lifespan or discourage illness, like the adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” implies. Nevertheless, Anatolians (inhabitants of modern-day Türkiye) prized the Malus domestica for its invigorating and restorative purposes. Parts of the apple tree are incorporated in Turkish medical concoctions, and for good reason. They are full of vitamins, which both support the immune system, energy levels, and nervous system; they contain antioxidants that aid the body’s recovery from oxidative processes such as digestion and exercise, only speaking briefly. Its nutritional benefits solidify its association with wellness. Moreover, in the fairy tale ‘Ahmed and Paribanou’ from One Thousand and One Nights, the classic Arabian fairy tale collection, there is an apple that possesses curative properties. In the story, Prince Ahmed has an apple that can cure any disease, and employs it to heal Princess Nouronnihar, whom he wants to wed. The legends from One Thousand and One Nights are established globally, introducing apples with health to the Middle East and beyond.

Since ancient times, apples have been strongly linked to love and fertility. Customarily, apples are utilized in Turkish wedding ceremonies, where the couple each demolishes a red apple to depict the end of their old lives and the beginning of their new lives together. Some rituals involve throwing the fruit at a person to signify the desire for a romantic relationship, the fruit serving as an unconventional messenger.

Turkey’s apple practices are powerful and passionate, but China’s are tranquil and temperate. The first character in ‘peace’ or ‘safety’ (平安 Píng ān) is homophonous with the first character in ‘apple’ (蘋果 Píng guǒ), in which apples are synonymous with peace. This resulted in the tradition of gifting apples on Christmas Eve, called 平安夜 (Píng ān yè). Christmas is rarely celebrated in China due to its meager Christian population, some still partake in it and give apples to their close circles.

The apple’s noteworthy role in art and culture is what sets it apart from other fruits, holding terrific meaning worldwide. In 2025, they are a highly memorable icon, acknowledging the contributions of the technology giant Apple Inc., but mostly from its historical significance. Apples are not just a symbolic pome; they illustrate how our values have stood sturdy for thousands of years and shed light on Central Asia’s rich beliefs, inviting us to ponder humanity’s universal concepts of opulence, fruitfulness, love, and health.