Apple and Oranges

In a recent poll we conducted on our Facebook page, the top two favorite juice types were apple juice and orange juice. They tied, in fact.This is not unexpected. Comparing apples and oranges is often seen as impossible: The quintessential example of two things that are not comparable. So obviously, people compare them all the time. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="384"] They're both fruit, but the orange is orange while the apple is green or red. We just solved an age-old mystery.[/caption] That link was to a NASA researcher who compared their "infrared transmission spectra" which is something I understand to be some sort of science. The Smithsonian cites a source saying the apple and orange are separated by 89.2 million years of evolution, but they are (and I'll have to fact check this later) indeed both grown on fruit trees. Health-wise, they are similar. Their juices contain roughly the same amount of calories per 8oz serving, with 117 for apple juice and 112 for orange juice. They have a similar amount of Vitamin C, with 103mg for apple juice and 124mg for orange juice in the same 8oz serving size. Oranges have more potassium, but apples have almost twice as much fiber. This old opinion piece from the then-president of Ocean Spray juice tells us:

Water content represents an accurate way to compare juices and drinks. Such a comparison informs consumers that ''100 percent orange juice''is 88 percent water; that ''100 percent apple juice'' is 88 percent water; that Ocean Spray brand cranberry juice cocktail is 86 percent water, and that ''100 percent grape juice'' is 85 percent water.

His point was about regulations on juice, but it's a fun fact either way. Closing out with some child-friendly optimism, here's a nursery rhyme that reminds us: "Why bother to compare them? They're both delicious!"