Genetic scientists are grappling with a tricky problem that they’ve been unable to conquer: Getting rid of the hairy skin of the kiwi fruit, without also getting rid of the taste. The Wall Street Journal looks at the efforts of researchers trying to genetically modify the kiwi to remove the brown, hairy outside. The research, led by kiwi-exporting company Zespri and supported by the New Zealand government, has thus far resulted in easily-bruised produce and a taste with “hints of kerosene.”
In the company’s plan, creating a hairless kiwi would reduce the kiwi’s preparation time to basically “grab and eat.” While the skin is technically edible, the little hairs are unpleasant, and so people typically cut away the skin and scoop out the insides. A hairless kiwi would make eating it simpler, which could cause more people to go for the kiwi at the supermarket.
via The Wire
