Faldage might have more, but quoting from the essay:
"In fact, the Bible never names "the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden," and that part of the world is too hot for apples, but at least since the Middle Ages northern Europeans have assumed that the forbidden fruit was an apple. (Some scholars think it was a pomegranate.) Like a botanical Zelig, the apple has wormed its way into our image of Eden through the brushwork of Durer and Cranach and countless others. After their pictures, re-creating a promised land anywhere in the New World without apple trees would have been unthinkable."
The essay also touch on apples (and cider) as being not being associated with grapes/wine and papism. Unlike wine, which the old testament warned against the temptations of, cider was sin and guilt free!
Apples originate in Kazakhstan--and the old silk route passed through the forests-- so apples have been in europe for ages and ages..
Blue is a direct quote, copied out, green is not direct quote, but from the aritcle.
Imagine! A guilt free desire!
