There is nothing more satisfying than biting into a good apple.

The crunchy texture, the mixture of tartness and sweetness, and, of course, the beautiful color all make for a delightful eating experience. With its combination of tastiness and portability, it is hard to go past the humble apple as a lunchbox staple that moms everywhere have relied on to bring some balance to the midday meal of picky children everywhere. They are, perhaps, one of the most quintessential fruits.

Their impact doesn’t stop there; we all know that apples are the one fruit that doctors fear, so they must be good for us. That, along with their tastiness, may be a part of the reason that they slide so effortlessly into so many recipes, especially when things start to get more autumnal. Pumpkin and its spices get a lot of the good press when it comes to eating and drinking in the fall season, and rightly so, because it is a culinary delight. The fact that it gets associated with Halloween probably helps, too. However, it would be wrong to miss out on the beauty of apples at this time of year just because of some larger and louder fresh produce. A good apple pie more than holds its own against a pumpkin spice latte, and is arguably a more traditional seasonal recipe as well.

It is difficult to find somebody who doesn’t like apples, or isn’t at the very least neutral about them. They are just that much of a cornerstone in our fruit diet, and that is something to be thankful for.