Imminent Hipster Food Trends

Apple Tattooing Is a Very Real Thing

Does Che look better on a Gala or a Pink Lady?
Does Che look better on a Gala or a Pink Lady? Photo: Srhm.fr

Edible Geography explores the history of the apple stenciling subculture; people around the world are branding innocent fruit with everything from Che Guevara’s face to the Apple computer logo. A Japanese pop star even put his picture on apples to give out as presents, which we’re pretty sure is the fruit equivalent of a tramp stamp. So how does this work? First, apples are covered in wax paper bags during the growing season, producing a pearly white skin. Then, they’re adorned with stencil stickers that block the sunlight. It’s basically the same thing that happens when you accidentally tan while wearing sunglasses. Apple tattooing isn’t a recent phenomenon; it stems back to nineteenth-century French fruit-growers. But for the past few years, it’s actually been on the decline. Your move, people of Williamsburg. [Edible Geography]

Apple Tattooing Is a Very Real Thing