Tag: Apple pips

According to reputable sources like Dartmouth's Sites on Arsenic and You, apple seeds contain cyanide-releasing compounds, not arsenic, which is a common misconception. This persistent myth can cause unnecessary alarm for those who accidentally ingest apple pips while enjoying the fruit.

Apple pips contain a compound called amygdalin, which can release cyanide when digested. Though the potential for poisoning exists, the amount of cyanide is typically not enough to be dangerous. One must eat a large quantity of crushed apple pips to be affected.

While many believe the number of seeds is consistent, the average apple actually contains only about five to eight pips. The precise number of pips are in an apple is influenced by a number of factors, including pollination and the specific apple variety.