The February 2009 edition of Eating Well magazine featured a very brief article on seedless clementine oranges and honeybees. Apparently, farmers in the California citrus belt are taking measures to keep honeybees out of the clementine crop because seedless clementines sell for a higher price (honeybees will pollinate the fruit, which creates seeds). Other crops, however, need honeybees to pollinate, such as peaches and almonds. As a result of this conflict, the Seedless Mandarin and Honeybee Coexistence Working Group was formed and is set to report on a resolution next month.
On one hand, I love clementines and prefer seedless oranges. I often throw two or three clementines in my lunch each day, and can eat half a dozen while watching my favorite television show. Easy to peel and deliciously sweet, these little fruits might as well be candy. This time of year, citrus fruits are at their peak and these little oranges are particularly tasty.
Above: A bowl of darling clementines.
On the other hand, honeybees are vital to environment and agricultural economy. Honeybees are responsible for pollinating about a third of all food crops, but their numbers have been dwindling at alarming rates. Entire honeybee hives are dying for seemingly no reason, though some contribute this to increased pesticides, genetically modified crops, and climate changes (see Colony Collapse Disorder). Honeybees also pollinate flowers and other plants, as well as provide a food source for other animals such as birds. Obviously, honeybees also create honey.
While seedless clementines and other citrus fruits are indeed very Sweet, so are a large number of other crops made possible by honeybees: almonds, peaches, soybeans, apples, pears, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, pumpkins, avocados, alfalfa, and honey, of course.
Want to save the honeybees? Go to Help the Honeybees at the Haagen-Dazs website (yes, the ice cream folks).
January 13th, 2009 at 5:14 am
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