Do you think fruits and vegetables always look as good as they do now? The answer is no. Through years of breeding and genetic modification, our fruits and vegetables have changed colors, sizes, and flavors. The pit of many fruits have shrunk, the edible parts of vegetables have increased tremendously, plus the look of many fruits and vegetables are much more appealing to the eye.
To understand how fruits and vegetables have been bred, it is important to remember that there have also been large changes in farming technology and methods leading to plant hybridization which has now created the agribusiness. Selective breeding used to be the most popular way to breed crops. Farmers would choose specific crops and continue to only breed those. Now, we see more genetic modification, which gives plants traits that are not natural to them. Often these traits are sweetness and durability. We also see fruits and vegetables becoming pest-resistant due to genetic modification. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables may not be everyone’s first choice. If genetically modified products are a concern for you, look for GMO-free produce at your local grocery store. Local farmers are a great source to find naturally grown, GMO-free products!!
Here is how a few fruits and vegetables have evolved over the years:
- The watermelon is much larger than its original product. Watermelon today also includes more lycopene, which contributes to its bright red color.
- The banana today is unrecognizable when compared to its original product. Bananas have smaller seeds, a brighter color, and contain more nutrients. The taste is also much better.
- Eggplant got its name from its original look; it was white and circular like an egg. Now eggplant is much larger in size and is offered in many colors. The most popular being its vibrant purple color.
- It took scientists many years to understand the domestication of corn. It originated from the Teosinte plant, which was barely edible. Now corn is 1,000 times larger and it includes more sugar.
Resource: Biostandups, Evolution of Fruits and Vegetables—Domestication of Nature (20 April, 2017), Retrieved from: https://www.biostandups.com/agricultural/evolution-fruits-vegetables-domestication-nature/
