Apples play such a large part in American society with many social and economic aspects. They are without a doubt the most “American” fruit with sayings such as “as American as apple pie” to attest to that. This has not always been the case though and has only recently been that way since prohibition. Pre-prohibition, apples were seen more as a way to make alcoholic beverages and not for what they could offer in respects to health. Once, alcohol was prohibited, but now, the apple began to change in regards to the perspective people had on it and how they taught their children about it. Children all over the United State are taught that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” It is from the point as young children that this concept of apples being able to “keep to doctor away” has been engrained in our minds. Apples are good for you (this is an undisputed and well known fact) and all of this came about because of prohibition and the attempt to “rebrand” the apple. Before the prohibition in the 1920s, the typical drink for the average working class American was hard apple cider, similar to how beer is today. 1840 presidential candidate William Harrison even compared himself to symbols such as “log cabins and hard cider” to show how he could relate to the working class in America. The drink was so widely used that asking for anything else at a bar would get you weird looks (Mysterious Demise). Apples were used as a snack food for people in cities because they were cheap and could be eaten on the go, but still the majority of apples went to the production of hard cider (Hard Question). The only thing that changed this was the passing of the Eighteenth Amendment, making all alcohol illegal. With a massive surplus of apples, the country did not know what to do with them. Many health organizations, beginning to recognize the health benefits, and farmers teamed up and begin the “apple a day keeps the doctor away” campaign (Botany of Desire). This simple phrase was born. The apple began to go to a “rebirth” and was the center for a health campaign, as opposed to a drinking one.
Apples in the U.S. 
I was not aware that apples were used mostly for alcoholic beverages in the pre prohibition era. It’s funny how they are seen as a way to improve your health now. Nice fun fact!
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I was not aware that apples were originally used for alcoholic beverages in the pre prohibition era. Its funny to think that we use it as a health improvement now. Nice fun fact!
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