The extraordinary story of the apple

Abstract

"Favoured throughout human history, the extraordinary story of the apple began in China where native bears were key to the fruit's dispersal. Easily transported and virtually immune to pests and the cold when dried they became more widespread and eventually started to move along the trade routes, assisted by the apple-loving horses on the Silk Road. Using DNA evidence, authors Barrie E. Juniper and David J. Mabberley trace the fruit's journey through time and across continents. They cover all aspects of the natural and cultural history of the apple, from key moments in human history, including the ancient Egyptians, Romans, to the Barrle of Hastings and Newton's Law of Gravity. Chapters also cover types of apple and apple crops, grafting techniques over time, archaeological discoveries, use as a food and in cider making, as well as the latest research in apple biology"--Back cover.

Contents

Preface -- Acknowledgements -- 1. What are apples? -- 2. Origin of the apple -- 3. Archaeology and the apple -- 4. Apples and grafting -- 5. Westward migration of the apple -- 6. Apple migration across the seas -- 7. Beyond the dessert: cyder and ornamentals -- 8. A dénouement -- Appendix -- References -- Index.