Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is distantly related to U.S. President George Washington, explorer Meriwether Lewis, and General George S. Patton. Actor Alec Baldwin’s ancestors came to America on the Mayflower. Many famous ancestors of celebrities are well-documented, but have you ever thought about the ancestors of some of the world’s most popular food?
Throughout history, modern produce evolved through traditional plant breeding techniques. And most modern produce evolved so much that its origins are nearly indistinguishable from what it looks like today.
In honor of Ancestor Appreciation Day Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, here’s a look at some of the ancestors of modern produce and how plant breeding has transformed fruits and vegetables.