Filed under: Misc,Reference,Science

All the different types of apples you see today originated from one common ancestor, the wild apple, Malus sieversii, which grows wild in the regions of Central Asia. The wild apple gave rise to the domesticated apple, Malus domestica, which then gave rise to many of the thousands and thousands of apple cultivars you see on the market today.

Some of these apple types have been developed through select out and in breeding, creating hybrids which have enhanced flavor, smell, and texture. Even the skin color is different, and many new cultivars are specially developed to have improved resistance to disease and fungi, and fruit more often.

A few cultivars have become staple household names, such as Gala, Fuji, and Red Delicious, which are firm favorites with millions the world over. Never would our ancestors imagine there would be so many different types of apples today, all descended from the humble wild apple that is still found in certain parts of its native home range.