Rotten Apple

Only eat it when there is nothing else. The game text says it currently gives a tiny boost to health, hunger and thirst, and that word is a hint: a later patch could change the effect, so do not plan around it.

Picture a fresh spawn on a cold beach, a rock in one hand and this in the other. Bite it. Tiny beats nothing when both bars are low. Once you have a base, a fresh apple or anything cooked from the food list does far more for the same slot.

So the rotten one ends up in the composter instead of your mouth, where it can at least help your planters a little. Do not hoard them in a box hoping they get better. They will not.