Apples are any tree (and its fruit) of the genus Malus of the rose family. The common apple (M. sylvestris) is the best known and the most important commercial temperate fruit. It is native to Western Asia, but has been widely cultivated since prehistoric times. Thousands of varieties of apples exist, such as Golden Delicious, Winesap, Jonathan, and McIntosh. The fruit is consumed fresh or cooked, or is used for juice. Partial fermentation of apple juice (sweet cider) produces hard cider (from which applejack liquor is made); fully fermented juice yields vinegar. The hardwood is used in cabinetmaking and as fuel. The fruit of crab apple trees (which are cultivated as ornamentals) is used for preserves and jellies.
