The Botany of Desire explores the relationship we have with our environment. The author, Michael Pollen, explains how four plants, in particular, have had a remarkable control over human desires. Tulips have satisfied our desire for beauty. Potatoes have fulfilled our need for nourishment. Marijuana has allowed us to unwind and feel bliss. Apples have satisfied our craving for sugar.
What fascinated me about the PBS documentary on The Apple was how ubiquitous the plant has become. After doing some research, I found that there are over 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the US alone, and 7,500 varieties worldwide. Moreover, I also noticed that every language in the world has a term for Apples because of how accessible the fruit is today.
While watching the documentary, I reflected on how my experience of buying apples has differed according to where I buy the product. Having lived in both developed and developing countries – USA, India and South Africa – I noticed the extent to which the fruit is genetically modified in some places. Due to the tough competition in the market, Apples in the US are engineered to be sweeter, bigger, and less perishable than those found in developing countries. The fruit is often grown using pesticides and stored using preservatives. It's often skinned, cut and sold in plastic boxes. Although it may provide convenience, this way of eating takes away the pleasures of biting into a whole, juicy apple. In my opinion, there’s no match for the taste, quality and energies of an apple plucked straight from the lush, green forests of mother earth.
What fascinated me about the PBS documentary on The Apple was how ubiquitous the plant has become. After doing some research, I found that there are over 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the US alone, and 7,500 varieties worldwide. Moreover, I also noticed that every language in the world has a term for Apples because of how accessible the fruit is today.While watching the documentary, I reflected on how my experience of buying apples has differed according to where I buy the product. Having lived in both developed and developing countries – USA, India and South Africa – I noticed the extent to which the fruit is genetically modified in some places. Due to the tough competition in the market, Apples in the US are engineered to be sweeter, bigger, and less perishable than those found in developing countries. The fruit is often grown using pesticides and stored using preservatives. It's often skinned, cut and sold in plastic boxes. Although it may provide convenience, this way of eating takes away the pleasures of biting into a whole, juicy apple. In my opinion, there’s no match for the taste, quality and energies of an apple plucked straight from the lush, green forests of mother earth.
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