The first bite should be yours.  

Seeking out rare and unique edible plants is such a rewarding hobby. Whether cultivating specialty mangos at home or searching for endemic species abroad, the joy of collecting rare fruits is as much about the people as it is about the plants. Plants are astonishing in what they can produce, but the real discovery is the incredible effort people put into exploring, sharing, and developing the best fruit in the world.

Like most things, that effort is paired with a whole lot of luck, especially when a grower is after something exceptional. Everything must come together perfectly, from nutrients to weather to pollinators. In the end, we cross our fingers and hope we are the first to find perfectly tree-ripened fruit.

I’m hoping the fruit protector can take some of that luck out of the equation. The less it’s up to luck, the more we get to share the experience with (non-squirrel) friends and family.

When not protecting fruit, Mike builds museum exhibits and specialty acrylic products in Sarasota, Florida. benchtopllc.com