McDonald's apples (both pies and slices) are popular due to a combination of factors: their pies use a blend of six specific apple varieties (like Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith) with a special dehydrated apple powder for intense flavor, and the slices use a scientific coating (calcium ascorbate/citric acid) to stay crisp and fresh, making them a reliably tasty, convenient snack that appeals to kids and adults alike, notes Allrecipes and this YouTube video, this USDA article, this YouTube video and this YouTube video.
Taste results from cultivar choice, gentle industrial processing (quick slicing, anti-browning control), cold storage, and psychological/contextual contrast with other foods on the tray. Those combine to produce consistently crisp, sweet, visually fresh apple slices that many people find especially tasty.
Phenomenal Filling
So yes, McDonald's fills their pies with a lot of apples, but it's not just those six varieties that give the pie an apple-y taste. McDonald's uses a special thickening agent that adds an additional apple flavor to the filling.
Packaged apples found at McDonalds or in your local produce section are usually treated with a solution of calcium ascorbate (a blend of calcium and vitamin C) or citric acid (found in citrus fruit) to maintain freshness and color. Both are very safe to use on fruit that will be consumed.
"If you're looking for a low-calorie snack that provides a crunch, McDonald's apple slices are a great choice," said Clevenger. She added that with just 15 calories and four grams of carbs, the snack can fit into most diets.
The unhealthiest item at McDonald's is often cited as the Big Breakfast with Hotcakes, packing over 1,300 calories, nearly a full day's sodium, and significant saturated fat, making it a calorie and nutrient bomb, with other contenders including large shakes, certain Angus burgers, and large fries.
While there's no single "number 1" healthiest fruit, blueberries are consistently ranked at the top for their exceptional antioxidant power (anthocyanins), supporting brain health, heart function, and potentially reducing inflammation and risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Other top contenders include avocados for healthy fats and fiber, raspberries for fiber, and pomegranates for antioxidants, but blueberries often stand out as a top choice.
Paula Marshall is the Chairman and CEO of The Bama Companies, Inc., a third-generation, Tulsa-based, woman-owned and led enterprise that has exclusively supplied McDonald's signature pies in the US for decades.
Apples contain no caffeine but instead have about 13 grams of natural sugar. These sugars provoke a similar response to caffeine because vitamins from the apple are released slowly throughout the body, making you feel more awake.
Leo Dietrich & Sons' Story
At their orchard in Conklin, Michigan – on a plot of land that the family has owned since the 1850s – Leo Dietrich & Sons hand-pick apples at their peak of ripeness. This means they pick about 10,000 apples a day during harvest season.
McDonald's most popular item globally is its French Fries, selling millions of pounds daily and often ordered with other favorites like the iconic Big Mac or Chicken McNuggets, though regional tastes vary with items like Hash Browns and McChickens also topping charts.
Currently, McDonald's has a market capitalization of $208.66 billion. Buying $1000 In MCD: If an investor had bought $1000 of MCD stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $3,019.74 today based on a price of $288.95 for MCD at the time of writing.
Most fast food is highly processed and contains significant amounts of sodium (as salt), sugars, and saturated fats. The sugars may include fructose or sucrose. Processed sugar makes the food addictive and can be toxic to the liver and many other systems.
All apples for the fresh market are picked by hand, but the skin on a Honeycrisp is thin, meaning each stem must also be clipped by hand just after picking, so they don't poke holes in other apples in a bin. They're also prone to calcium deficiency, leading to spots, a bitter pit and mold.
The healthiest options at McDonald's focus on grilled chicken, lean beef, and strategic modifications like skipping sauces, with good choices including the Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich, a 6-piece Chicken McNuggets (with lighter sauce), a Plain Hamburger, or the Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, often paired with sides like apple slices and water instead of fries and soda, says Healthline and myorthrive.com.
Bananas may be the best quick snack for sustained energy. While bananas are a good natural source of sugar, they are also rich in fibers that help slow the digestion of that sugar. Bananas contain helpful nutrients that make the body feel full of energy.
There's no "best time" to eat an apple; however, experts advise against apples before bed if you experience gas or bloating after eating them, as these symptoms could disrupt your sleep. Otherwise, apples are a healthy snack any time of the day.
Drinking 500 mL (2 cups) of clear apple juice or cranberry cocktail 3 hours before your Surgery Time is called carbohydrate loading (carb loading). Carb loading helps your body have enough energy to get through the physical stress of surgery. The extra energy helps you begin your recovery immediately after surgery.
It supplies Yum! Brands chains that use chicken, including KFC and Taco Bell, as well as McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Walmart, Kroger, IGA, Beef O'Brady's, small restaurant businesses, and prisons.
Bill Gates owns a farm that supplies potatoes to McDonald's, but not all McDonald's french fries come from his land: 100 Circles Farm: Gates' investment firm, Cascade Investments, owns this 14,500-acre farm in Washington state that supplies potatoes to McDonald's.
Powerful Fruits That Support Healing and Reduce Inflammation
The least healthy fruit of all of the powerhouse fruits is the white grapefruit, according to the CDC. It scored 10.47 on the agency's ranking, compared to a perfect 100 for watercress.
Watermelon can help reduce your body fat and waist circumference due to its high water content. Watermelon is also rich in vitamins A and C, which can help with skin health and metabolism.