Apple Taste Testing

Every apple variety has its own traits.

Scientists learn about these traits by making careful observations. In this investigation, you will use your senses to compare apple varieties.

Before you taste the apples, look closely at each one. Notice its color, size, shape, and skin. Is the skin smooth, shiny, dull, or rough?

Smell each apple.

Which apple do you think will be the sweetest? Which one might be the most tart or crisp?

Use what you observed to explain your prediction.

Take a small bite of each apple variety. Think about its flavor and texture.

Is it sweet or tart?
Is it crisp or soft?
Is it juicy or dry?

*Apple Tasting Chart can be found in the teacher guide to be printed for students.

Apple breeders look for traits people enjoy.

They also look for traits that help trees grow well and stay healthy.

Which two apple traits would you choose for a new variety? Explain why you chose them.

Apple trees ready for Harvest.

Trait: A feature you can notice, such as color, size, flavor, or texture.

Heredity: The passing of traits from parent plants to new plants.

Pollination: The movement of pollen from one flower to another.

Grafting: Joining part of one plant to another so they grow together.

Why might apples grown from seeds be different from their parent apples?
Why do farmers use grafting to grow more Honeycrisp trees?