Extinct Apples

Feb. 15, 2022

I'm going to work after a week of working from home. While on the train, I read an article entitled "Extinct Apples."

According to the article, a non-profit organization has discovered some 30 apples varieties once thought extinct. As of today, some 4, 500 apples are grown in the US. Though it may seem like a large number, it is actually only about one-fourth of the kinds of apples the country once grew.

Why such a dramatic decrease in variety? One reason, according to the article, is 21st century agriculture abandoned less popular varieties. 

Thanks to efforts by members of the non-profit, though, those once thought lost are now being enjoyed once again. 

When I read the article, I thought it's pretty cool. Mainly for two reasons.

One, as a saying goes, variety is the spice of life. In this case, it can be a commercial spice. People may make new products with newly re-discovered varieties, such as juice, cakes, and brandy. It will be not only exciting to consumers, but can also be lucrative for businesses. In the age of online commerce, there are plenty of people out there who are willing to pay more for something new and rare.

Two, it's good for the environment also. Bio-diversity is generally a good thing for the eco-system. A greater variety of apples may provide birds, insects, or even micro-organisms with food and favorable living environments. In fact, it may slow down uncontrollably explosive expansion of unfavorable plants, animals, and/or micro-organisms. You never know.

So, all in all, I favorably welcome this non-profit organization's efforts to re-discover forgotten apple varieties. I am looking forward to hearing more about good results of their efforts.