h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A682580

I suddenly wrote this today in a brief fit of inspiration (or stupidity...). Feel free to destroy it however you see fit

Oh, and I know it's very short, but look at any Entry written in the first year of h2g2. They're all this length.

Great idea for an Entry! I love Granny Smiths, the gorgeous crunchy little devils, and I think you've described their positive attributes very well.

However, the fact that I have been able to enjoy fresh Granny Smiths for decades, whilst living in England, proves that you're mistaken on one key point: Granny Smiths are definitely not only grown in Australia and New Zealand. I've got some in my fridge right now, and the pack is clearly labelled 'Produce of France'.

I must say, also, that they don't make my gums bleed. Perhaps we get a slightly softer strain of GS here in Europe?

Well, there you go! I'll tweak this appropriately.

Tweaked.

I've actually had many that didn't make my gums bleed, but every once in a while... Then again, I have weak gums.

Thank you, Strider!

Granny Smiths have been one of the most popular varieties of apple in Britain for as long as I can remember, which goes back a good 30 years. I did a quick search on 'Granny Smith Apples' a few minutes ago and didn't come up with much, although there was one place in California selling them. It'll be interesting to see what American Researchers have to say.

Good luck with the Entry anyway!

Thanks!

Does anyone know the details behind the laws the EU introduced regarding the sale of apples that pretty much destroyed Britain's apple orchard industry? A quick mention of how this affected the growth of Granny Smith apples might be appropriate.#

<BB<

Nice entry. I eat Granny Smiths every day, and will only consider something else on the rare occations I can't get a Granny. They are generally availlable all year round in the UK. They come from Oz NZ France and South Africa. I have also found them freely available in Florida. I'm not sure where they were grown, they had some huge apples.

If I can't get GS I'll go for Braeburns.

Short and sweet (or should I say 'tart') .

Are they used for cider at all? I know they are used in single variety organic fresh pressed juice, although it's hard to find.

I don't think so (the cider). It doesn't seem like it would make very good cider...

<BB<, I'm not sure if that is in the scope of this entry. What do other people think? If people want it in, I'll include it, but otherwise I'd rather not.

My local apple farm, Cross Lanes, also grows Granny Smiths. They are beloved of supermarkets because of their shelf-life, which is also a good reason for those of us who dislike pappy apples. I prefer Braeburns, but a good Granny Smith is just fine.

Just 'Zis Guy and Sir Kitt: What are Braeburns? I've never seen them over here (US). Am I just imperceptive, or do they actually not grow (or are not grown very much) in the US?

This is a posting written by the author of this entry for the sole purpose of putting this thread back on the top. aka, a SHAMELESS PLUG!

Shame on you for being so shameless! I've *never* done that kind of thing myself...

To answer your question: Braeburns are red-and-yellow apples, a bit sweeter than Granny Smiths. They definitely are grown in the USA. I know this because I've just done a Yahoo! search on 'Braeburns' and soon found the website of a farm in Oregon that produces them.

I'll have to try them!

The Entry is looking pretty good!

The only part I'm not sure about is the closing section, about 'Why this can actually be an advantage'. Yes, it's great that with modern shipping methods and good storage the whole can have fresh Granny Smiths the whole year round - but that doesn't mean that it's an *advantage* that they're mainly only grown in a few countries. It just means that this disadvantage can be overcome!

So I'd lose that last header if I were you.

OK. What do you think I should replace it with? I want to have that information in there, and it doesn't really fit under the "Negative aspects" header. Maybe a "how this can be overcome" subheader?

Sounds like a good idea!