Researchers say that apples originated in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains of Kazakhstan, in central Asia east of the Caspian Sea. Around 750,000 years ago, people in the Kazakhstan region discovered wild sour crabapples, Malus sieversii. They consumed them as a fruit. Before humans began transporting crabapples out of Kazakhstan, birds and bears carried their seeds to other regions.

Around 8,000 years ago, people from Kazakhstan carried crabapples along the Silk Road trade route. Horses and donkeys carrying goods along the Silk Road fed on wild crabapples, seeds were left in their droppings, and trees grew. Crabapples were also traded by merchants along the Silk Route which helped spread the trees to other regions. From the Kazakhstan wild crabapple, all apple varieties were created down through the ages.

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that connected Europe, Asia and Africa by land and sea. These trade routes were begun by China in 130 BC and remained in use until 1453 when the Ottoman Empire closed them.

A variety of goods were carried and sold along these routes, including Chinese silk, which is how the Silk Road got its name, spices, tea, ivory, cotton, wool and precious metals.

Not only were goods traded along the Silk Road; but, also, cultural ideas, such as religion, music, food, dance and art. The Silk Road had a huge impact on the exchange of goods and ideas between populations.

From wild crabapples growing in Kazakhstan, thousands of apple varieties have been created.

 

By Karen Bowen
Karen is the Pacific Region Butterfly Chairman and member of Yuma Orchid and African Violet Society.

Photo 1 Wikipedia

Wild crabapples found in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains of Kazakhstan are considered the variety from which all apple varieties have been created.

Photo 2 My Seed Co.
Photo-2--My-Seeds-Co.--malus-sieversii
The wild crabapple grown in Kazakhstan 750,000 years ago is still grown there today.