Chinese Farmer Creates Cute Fruit to look like Kids

by Susan Davis on 11/09/09 at 10:33 am

Rules formerly in place in Europe, which prevented stores from selling odd-shaped or sized fruits and vegetables to consumers, were officially lifted in July.  This means that curvy cucumbers, knobby carrots and two dozen other types of produce may now be sold in groceries and supermarkets, even if they are not picture perfect.   The rule, which tries to standardize the look and size of fruits and vegetables, will still be enforced for another 10 types of produce, including apples, lettuce, peaches and pears – but stores will be allowed to sell “imperfect” looking produce, as long as they are labeled as such.

This is good news for Chinese farmer Gao Xianzhang, who has spent the last six years patiently perfecting pears that have been grown to look like youngsters (or little Buddhas).  Using plastic molds that fit over the fruit as it is forming, Gao harvested more than 10,000 of the designer pears this season and hopes to export the gourmet fruit to Britain and the rest of Europe next year.  The cute fruit, which sells for a pricey $8 each in his hometown of Hexia in northern China’s Hebei province, has been a huge success.

People apparently seem to think they are cute or lucky, and will buy them as soon as they are harvested from the tree.

They are kind of cute.  But not for $8 each!