April 9, 2010

Books: Ripe: The Search for the Perfect Tomato

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May/June 2010 Issue

The latest in a wave of single-serving foodographies (Cod, Salt, Banana, etc.), Ripe investigates the tomato‘s transformation from fresh vegetable to industrial ingredient. Allen’s most disturbing discovery is the use of anti-ripening genes that keep tomatoes perpetually firm—perfect for McDonald’s burgers, canned pizza sauce, and long stays in produce bins. Too bad they’re often tasteless. But as one tomato tycoon quips, “A poor tomato is better than no tomato at all.”

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“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

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