Deep in Kazakhstan’s Tian Shan mountains lies the birthplace of every apple we eat today. This region is home to the wild Malus sieversii, the ancient ancestor of all domesticated apple varieties. Long before cultivation began, bears and birds played a vital role in spreading the seeds throughout the region, unknowingly shaping the apple’s global journey. It wasn’t until 1790 that traders documented these apple-rich forests—marking the beginning of the fruit’s expansion beyond Central Asia.
Tragically, modern agriculture and deforestation have decimated these original forests. Scientists estimate that only around 1% of the ancient Malus sieversii stands still survive today. Conservationists now race to preserve this genetic reservoir, as these ancient apples hold untapped traits like disease resistance and climate adaptability—keys that could shape the future of fruit farming.