Christmas apples?!?!?!

[HeDiWen何迪文]

I know Christmas is over, but I couldn't help but ask about this.

So, me and a Chinese friend were talking about Christmas and what it's like in both of our countries. I believe it was on Christmas Eve, and he asked me what type of presents I bought. I told him, and he asked me if I bought any apples. I was really confused for a moment. Since we both were not good at each others language he tried to explain to me in English the best he could. He said that there are two saying for Christmas Eve in China. The first I can't remember but the second was->苹果 So, as he said, everyone in China buys apples as a gift on Christmas. Is this accurate at all?! I really can't understand the whole deal with apples and Christmas. Anyone can shed some light on this?

[roddy]

I think it's a 平安夜 . . 苹果 connection. Or maybe apples are cheap this time of year.

[abcdefg]

Apples are definitely popular Christmas gifts here in Kunming. People often give them nicely wrapped in festive paper. My understanding of the custom is that it is popular at least in part because the Chinese word for apple sounds a bit like the Chinese word for Christmas Eve.

píngguǒ = 苹果 = apple

píng’ānyè = 平安夜 = Christmas Eve

[jiangl]

Now if anyone can explain to me the NPCR's obsession with 香蕉苹果 , I will be indebted to you. It defines them as banana flavored apples or some nonsense and if I remember correctly my entire first semester textbook was dedicated to them. Seriously, what the heck are they talking about? Golden Delicious? Or do the Chinese just have extremely advanced forms of fruits that I cannot even begin to comprehend?

[HeDiWen何迪文]

haha...thanks for clearing that up. If I had been living in China and didn't know about it, I would be completely dumbfounded if I found apples at my door on Christmas morning.

[abcdefg]

The banana apple is not a golden delicious. It's an heirloom variety of apple found not just in China, but also in the US. Growers describe it as having a pale skin with a faint pink blush. They are most prevalent in winter. They have a dense texture plus a strong flavor and are often served sliced. Their aroma is a little like that of the banana, hence the name. I can find them easily at fruit stands in Kunming.

[jiangl]

Really? Thanks for the information, wondering what it was used to drive my nuts. I can't believe I'd never heard of it before. Does it have a fancy name like golden delicious, or is it just called "banana apple"? After reading so much about it, I feel obligated to try one. Sorry for taking this thread on a weird turn.