Apples make me blush.

Apples make me blush. They always have. Seconds after consuming an apple, my face briefly burns. In my younger days, I assumed this was just residual shame still smoldering from Eve’s original transgression in the Garden, but now I’m starting to wonder if it’s not an allergic reaction of some sort. This never happens with apples cooked into pies or strudel, but only with fresh ones. It’s not unpleasant, it comes and goes in a heated flash, and I’m just wondering why. Is there a doctor in the house?

Hammond

David,

I'm not a real doctor, but this definitely sounds like an allergic reaction. Are you allergic to birch pollen? Eating raw apples can give a hot flash reaction. The pollen allergens present in a raw apple would be destroyed by the heat used for a baked apple concoction--which would explain why you don't get the vapors from eating strudel or pie.

Furthering my theory is the fact that often times a person will crave* or be especially fond of those foods they are allergic to. And it seems that you are particularly fond of those apples.

It all seems harmless enough...maybe even a fun party trick-

trixie-pea

*My brother used to have major food allergies, especially to dairy. Instead of vandalization or punk-rock music, my brother's big act of rage against (his own personal) machine would be to secretly procure and ingest industrial size blocks of cheddar cheese, gallons of milk, and carton after carton of vanilla ice cream, only to end up sicker than all get out.

My professional training suggests another interpretation. Try eating the apples in the privacy of a darkened room and see if the problem goes away. (You will need a flashlight and a mirror).