When is a nut not a nut? Thanks, Kevin.
Agrobiodiversity in Eden
I’ve mentioned before that — contrary to my original expectation — the Eden Project does try to get to grips with the domesticated side of plant biodiversity. The latest celebration of agricultural biodiversity down in Cornwall is cider-pressing. But you can also see bananas in the Crops That Feed the World exhibit, and sweet potatoes in the Global Garden, an allotment inspired by cultures around the world.
Hidden and unfamiliar agrobiodiversity
African cane rats infested with maggots, African yams (dioscorea), Andean potatoes, Bangladeshi cucurbit plants, bush meat, cherimoya fruit, curry leaves (murraya), dried orange peels, fresh eggs, giant African snail, impala skull cap, jackfruit seeds, June plum, kola nuts, mango, okra, passion fruit, pig nose, pig mouths, pork, raw poultry (chicken), South American pig head, South American tree tomatoes, South Asian lime infected with citrus canker, sugar cane (poaceae), uncooked meats, unidentified sub tropical plant in soil.
Gotta love any photograph with such a caption. See more.
A story of agrobiodiversity and agglomeration from Scotland
Dundee was Juteopolis? Who knew.
Finding the perfect fry
The hunt is on to find a worthy replacement for Russet Burbank as McDonald’s spud of choice for its fries, at least in the US. Actually, a couple more varieties have received Ronald’s seal of approval, but the last time a variety was added to his shopping list was in 1999. Time for some diversification, wouldn’t you say?
McDonald’s has huge clout. Russet Burbank has a 40% acreage share in the top potato states, almost 60% in Idaho. But it has drawbacks, and the industry is “always looking for the silver bullet to replace [it].” And “taste, texture and golden-brown appearance aren’t everything” now, as they were in the good old days. Now you have to worry about the water use efficiency of varieties, and their resistance to diseases, so that they don’t get doused with pesticides so much. Industry reps recently met to discuss the latest prospects. And they chose the ideal place to do so: Sturgeon Bay, Wis., home of the U.S. Potato Gene Bank. The hot money is on the Bannock Russet.