Joseph at Greensparrow Gardens offers some interesting insight into why apples are better than peaches at the grocery store. Apples are labeled by variety and can command a higher price, but peaches are rarely labeled and are less special which means a lower price. It's an issue of the specialty item vs. the generic item.
It's true - there is very little labeling of produce in grocery stores. You can buy "red lettuce", but "red lettuce" is as generic as "red onion". Perhaps no one would really want a label of "Pinot Rouge F1" or "TZ 1581". If labeling becomes a much more regular thing, then the breeders should start making some more appetizing names than "Femspot F1".
Guest: "Wow, this stuffing is amazing! How did you do it?"
Host: "It's all about selecting the right ingredients. I sauteed a bit of TZ 9860 F1 and Yellow Granex Hybrid F1 PRR in a bit of Sweet G-90 oil..."
You can imagine the hazard of labeling with the state of crop names as it currently stands. Apples have better names than a lot of other crops. There's Autumn Pearmain, Golden Pippin, Crispin, Pixie Crunch, and Sops of Wine. The names alone are enticing!
If I developed a delicious cucumber, I would call it "The World's Best Cucumber - Eat Me."
Does anyone think it's weird that ConAgra has a twitter account?
Finally, Greensparrow Gardens is an awesome blog and people should subscribe! I am not getting paid for this endorsement. It's just true.
Apples are interesting in a lot of ways. I learned last summer that the University of Some Mid-western State(ok, so I can't remember which one) has been developing new varieties of apples for some years now. When the get a good one that folks what to grow - as I understand it - they license the grower. I assume this is so that they continue to get some money for the development.
ReplyDeleteIf you get a chance, try a HoneyCrisp. It's a relatively new variety and oh, so good! Sweetest apple I've ever eaten and crisp and juicy - all the good things an apple should be. My only hesitation in recommending it is that it will mean fewer for me!!
I've had Honey Crisp, and I really do love it. I like EXTREMELY hard apples that aren't too sweet.
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