Have We Engineered The Perfect Apple?

It took over 30 years to create the perfect apple. Find out how scientists designed the Honeycrisp to be the best.


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Is The Honeycrisp Apple Engineered To Fail?

Beyond the Honeycrisp Apple
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Seeker inspires us to see the world through the lens of science and evokes a sense of curiosity, optimism and adventure.




Written and Animated by Alex Parkin

[evanhenderson]

I work in the produce section at Kroger and was amazed by the size of the honeycrisp when we first got them in. Naturally, I "dropped" one and took it in the back to try it. Not only was it big enough to be its own meal, it blew me away. It is by far one of the top three apples I've ever had in my life, and our best selling main apple (not counting lunchbox sizes). Im glad to know why it's so good now. Thanks!

[oktayyildirim]

(10:30 PM) Me: One more video, then I'll fall asleep.
(2:30 AM) Me:

[AlkestaTRP]

Due to the lack of a headphone jack, I seriously doubt it.

[atomicskull]

The original honeycrisp tree was actually mislabeled, the parents listed for that tree were incorrect. I have a theory that at some point someone screwed up and lost the information, then just penciled something in and marked it for removal so they wouldn't get in trouble figuring nobody would ever know. The patent for Honeycrisp lists the incorrect parentage (Macoun and Honeygold) but genetic testing has shown that it's actual parents are Keepsake and an unreleased apple labeled MN1627

[NewMessage]

I think it needs to be more banana shaped.

And banana flavored. And color.. yellow's nice.

If only there was such a thing. * sighs wistfully *

[notrandom]

This is what i'm talking about. the idea of Monoculture is so dangerous. Just one super-bug, super-pest, super-disease... and game over for that "one" variety and following is some sort of economic disaster.

[RalorPenwat]

Personally I favor Granny Smiths, but I'm also the kind of person who eats lemons

[Mcgturtle]

I saw the title and was about to comment "yes, it's called the honey crisp." I just had one earlier

[ShawnRavenfire]

Question:  How do we selectively breed apples (or any plant) if we're cloning them?  Wouldn't every offspring be identical to the original?  Or do we cross-breed first, and then clone the best ones?

[Michformer]

Granny Smith is my favorite “conventional” variety, with Autumn Glory being my designer apple of choice. The latter’s caramel and cinnamon tones pleasantly took me by surprise.

[IBeforeAExceptAfterK]

One thing that also seems to elevate Honeycrisp above the rest for me is that it seems like the core is smaller than most other varieties of apple. I can get a lot more off of a Honeycrisp than I can from other apples of a similar size.

[thelaw]

I didn't know that such an apple existed. Thank you Seeker

[djprogramer]

Gala FTW!!! Small, juicy, and delicious and the best part is that the juice doesn't make things sticky.

[phunkymind]

I'm supposed to be watching the perfect apple, but this genius keeps kicking my ass.

[Realunmaker]

Potatos are having this problem too,
I know the video mentioned the Irish famine, but here in south america, where it is native, so many different species of native potatoes and niche potatoes are disappearing because some are more profitable, it's a slow wipe of entire species.

[porkeyminch]

Ya like jazz?

...I mean, do you like jazz apples? They're definitely the best ones I've eaten so far. They're as crisp and juicy as a granny smith, but much bigger and have a nice sweet flavour. The texture of them feels good on the tongue, too, unlike red delicious.

[VictorCardoza]

Well no wonder I love Honeycrisps so much

[gaviomen]

I have an idea for a new ad campaign...

Hungry for apples?

Why yes, I would like an award for best ad.

[DMWProductions]

Can you guys do a video of everything that's going on with the Syria stuff? Would really appreciate understanding it a bit better. Thanks.

[Belboz]

I've read there's a wooded valley somewhere near Yugoslavia (former Yugoslavia?) that was loaded with a wide range of apple trees native to the area, largely untouched by modern agriculture.