Did you know that the Cavendish variety of banana, the only banana planted through out the world for export, is in danger of extinction due to monoculture? Did you know that the Clementine Orange was cultivated in the garden of an Algerian orphanage by Father Clement Rodier? Or did you know the Bing cherry was developed by Ah Bing of the United States but after the passage Chinese Exclusion Act he was exiled back to China and never returned to America, or that the Haas avocado tree grew in the yard of Postman Rudolph Hass who was going to cut it down but his children begged him to keep it? These are just some of the interesting bits of fruit fact you'll learn from the docudrama, The Fruit Hunters, a DVD that can be checked out from the Solano County Library.

The docudrama follows fruit hunters. What are fruit hunters? They're horticulturalists, historians, connoisseurs, and other individuals with a passion, or in some cases obsession, with fruit who travel to the far reaches of the globe in search of exotic and rare fruit. Some seek out the fruit to help preserve them for future generations to enjoy, while others seek to document their history, or others seek them out simply for the ultimate tasting pleasure. While watching the film you'll be introduced to, and find out some interesting facts about some exotic fruit.

I have not read the book by the same title, upon which the film was based, to know how closely the film follows the book. But for me an aspect of the film I did not like were the segments focusing on actor Bill Pullman's involvement in his Hollywood Hills Community Orchard. They just didn't seem to fit well into the overall film and were somewhat boring.
But if you enjoy learning about exotic fruits, where and how they're grown, and like following travelers to exotic places, then you'll enjoy this docudrama. The only problem is most of us will never have the opportunity to taste many of the yummy fruits featured!