Inventing a Better Apple
Podcast: What's Your Problem?Published On: Thu May 14 2026
Description: The apples you can buy at the grocery store have gotten profoundly better over the past few decades. It’s a kind of everyday, hiding-in-plain sight innovation. Kate Evans is an apple breeder and professor at Washington State University. Kate's problem is this: How do you invent a better apple? With her team, Kate has in fact invented a new kind of apple called the Sunflare. It’s arriving in stores in a few years. She also helped to invent the Cosmic Crisp, which is out already. In this episode, Kate explains: Why grocery-store apples have gotten so much better Why some of the most delicious apples never make it into stores Why it takes decades to invent a new kind of apple How much more we have to learn about apple genetics How the apple industry is adapting to climate change Connect with us: Follow Jacob Goldstein on LinkedIn, X and Instagram Email us at problem@pushkin.fm Follow Pushkin on Instagram, LinkedIn or X Listen to Jacob’s other show, Business History To listen to the show early and ad free, sign up for Pushkin+ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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