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How Much Sugar Is in One Sugar Bee Apple?

3 min read

According to the official SugarBee® website, a medium-sized SugarBee® apple contains 20 grams of naturally occurring total sugars. This high sugar content is responsible for its famously sweet and honey-like flavor profile, which was naturally created by bees cross-pollinating a Honeycrisp apple.

Quick Summary

A medium SugarBee apple contains 20 grams of naturally occurring sugars, making it a sweet and satisfying snack. This sugar is balanced by dietary fiber, which helps regulate its impact on blood sugar levels, contributing to its healthy nutritional profile.

Key Points

  • Sugar Content: A medium SugarBee® apple contains approximately 20 grams of natural, not added, sugar.

  • Flavor Profile: Its high sugar level is responsible for its characteristic honey, caramel, and molasses flavor notes.

  • Natural Cross: The SugarBee® apple was created naturally by bees cross-pollinating a Honeycrisp variety with another mystery apple.

  • Health Context: The sugar is balanced by dietary fiber, which helps to regulate blood sugar absorption and promotes satiety.

  • Versatile Use: The crisp texture and sweet flavor make it ideal for fresh snacking, baking, and pairings with cheese.

In This Article

The Natural Sweetness of the SugarBee® Apple

First discovered in a Minnesota Honeycrisp orchard, the SugarBee® apple was a product of natural cross-pollination by bees with a mystery apple variety. Its name reflects its exceptionally sweet flavor, which features notes of honey, caramel, and molasses, along with a firm, crisp texture. The sweetness of a SugarBee® is attributed to its high sugar content, but it's important to understand the context of that sugar within the fruit's overall nutritional makeup.

Full Nutritional Breakdown of a Medium SugarBee® Apple

For a clearer picture of the SugarBee® apple's nutritional value, consider the following details for a medium-sized serving, based on official information:

  • Total Sugars: 20 grams
  • Calories: 110 calories
  • Total Carbohydrates: 26 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 2 grams
  • Protein: 1 gram
  • Total Fat: 0 grams
  • Sodium: 10 milligrams
  • Potassium: 160 milligrams

The sugars present in the SugarBee® apple are naturally occurring, primarily fructose, and contain no added sugars. The combination of natural sugar with fiber, water, and other nutrients makes it a whole food, unlike processed snacks with added sugars.

How SugarBee® Sugar Compares to Other Popular Apples

While the SugarBee® apple is known for its sweetness, its sugar content is not dramatically different from other sweet apple varieties when measured proportionally. Here is a comparison of total sugar content in grams per 100 grams for various raw, unpeeled apples:

Apple Variety Sugar (grams per 100g) Notes
SugarBee® Approx. 11.0 (based on official values) Known for honey/caramel flavor; cross with Honeycrisp.
Fuji 13.3 g One of the sweetest apple varieties.
Honeycrisp 12.4 g Parent variety to SugarBee®; also very sweet.
Red Delicious 12.2 g Classic sweet apple with a mild flavor.
Granny Smith 10.6 g Tart variety, lower sugar content.

Note: The official SugarBee® site lists 20g sugar for a medium apple (approx. 182g), which yields a proportional value comparable to others. The Brix unit scale, which measures sugar concentration, also shows SugarBee® averaging higher (14.6) than Honeycrisp (13.8).

The Importance of Fiber with Natural Sugars

It’s crucial to consider the context of fruit sugar. The sugar in a SugarBee® apple is packaged with beneficial fiber, which plays a vital role in how your body processes it.

  • Slows Digestion: Fiber slows down the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream. This prevents the rapid spike in blood sugar levels that can occur with foods containing added or processed sugars.
  • Promotes Satiety: The fiber content helps you feel fuller for longer, which can help with weight management by reducing overall calorie intake.
  • Aids Digestive Health: Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system and supports the metabolism of glucose.

How to Incorporate SugarBee® Apples into Your Diet

Given their sweet flavor profile, SugarBee® apples are incredibly versatile. Beyond being a simple snack, they can be a great natural sweetener in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas:

  • Snacking: Enjoy a raw SugarBee® apple as a wholesome, sweet-and-crisp snack on its own.
  • Salads: Dice or thinly slice the apple into salads for a burst of sweetness and crunch.
  • Baking: The firm texture holds up well in baking, making it a great choice for pies, tarts, and turnovers.
  • Juicing and Saucing: Its juiciness and sweet flavor make it an excellent candidate for fresh juice and apple sauce.
  • Charcuterie Boards: Pair slices with sharp cheeses like cheddar or smoked gouda for a delicious contrast.

Conclusion

Ultimately, a medium SugarBee® apple contains 20 grams of sugar, but this is not a concern for most people looking for a healthy snack. The sugar is natural and accompanied by dietary fiber, which slows down digestion and mitigates blood sugar spikes. Rather than viewing its sweetness as a negative, its delightful, honey-like flavor makes it an enjoyable and nutritious alternative to processed, sugary treats. For detailed nutritional information directly from the source, you can visit the official SugarBee® website.

Official SugarBee® Apples Website

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the sugar in a SugarBee® apple is naturally occurring fructose, which is different from refined, added sugars. The apple's fiber content helps manage how your body processes this natural sugar, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar.

The SugarBee® has a higher sugar concentration (Brix units) than its parent, the Honeycrisp. While both are sweet, the SugarBee's flavor is often described as having more pronounced honey and caramel notes.

Yes, in moderation. For those monitoring sugar intake, it's beneficial to know the sugar content of a single fruit. The fiber in the apple helps to balance the natural sugar's effect on your body.

A medium-sized SugarBee® apple contains about 110 calories.

Yes, it contains dietary fiber, which is beneficial for regulating the digestive tract and managing glucose metabolism. A medium apple provides approximately 2 grams of fiber.

Brix is a scale used to measure the sugar concentration in an aqueous solution, such as fruit juice. The higher the Brix value, the higher the sugar content and perceived sweetness. The SugarBee® averages a higher Brix than the Honeycrisp.

Yes. With their firm, crisp texture and sweet flavor, SugarBee® apples are excellent for a variety of culinary uses, including pies, tarts, and turnovers, where they will hold their shape well.

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.