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The Food Chain

Factual: Food & Drink

Examining what it takes to put food on your plate

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

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The Food Chain: How to invent an apple

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How to invent an apple

18/01/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - The Food Chain, How to invent an apple

The fascinating history and future of the apples you buy in the supermarket

Have you ever wondered why the apple you bite in to is so crisp and juicy? And why it’s available all year round?  

Apples originated in the mountains of Central Asia, and made their way along trade routes to Europe and then on to the rest of the world. They are now one of the most widely consumed fruit worldwide. 

An apple seed will produce a completely different fruit to the tree it came from – so new varieties have to be bred and cultivated.  

In this week’s episode Ruth Alexander finds out about the science behind finding that perfect crunch, how long it takes to be able to taste an apple you’ve spent years planning and how to grab consumers’ attention with a new breed.  

Ruth also visits a wassail near Manchester in England to experience an ancient tradition involving cider, hanging toast on a tree and lots of singing to encourage a good apple harvest for the year ahead.  

If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: thefoodchain@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Ruth Alexander

Producer: Hannah Bewley

(Image: A bright red apple on a green background. Credit: Getty Images)

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