Ancient history

In the middle ages what were apple orchards used for?

In the Middle Ages, apple trees were valuable not just for their tasty fruits, but also for the numerous uses these fruits had. Besides being consumed fresh or used in pies and other desserts, apples were also employed for medicinal and non-culinary purposes.

Some of the uses for apples in medieval times include:

- Cider Production: Apples were used to produce cider, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apple juice. Cider was a popular drink in medieval Europe and often consumed as a substitute for drinking water, which could be contaminated.

- Medicinal Elixir : Apple cider vinegar, made from fermented apple cider, was prized for its therapeutic properties and used to treat various ailments such as indigestion, sore throat and inflammation.

- Aromatherapy: Apples were used in aromatherapy to scent rooms and remove unpleasant odor by placing sliced or cut pieces in the corners or hanging dried apple slices in rooms

- Cosmetic Ingredient : Apples were occasionally employed in cosmetic recipes for skincare. Mashing apples and applying it on skin was believed to have beautifying effects.

- Livestock feed: When not fit for human consumption due to damage, leftover or overripe apples were often fed to livestock, particularly pigs.

- Decorative purposes : On some occasions, apple trees were planted in orchards for their aesthetic value, adding a pleasant ambiance to the surrounding.