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Chinese Researchers Create Tomato with Buttered Popcorn Aroma

2/23/2026

30 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Researchers in Zhejiang province, China, used CRISPR/Cas9 to silence two genes that suppress aromatic compounds, creating a tomato with a buttered popcorn scent.
The aroma aims to boost consumer appeal and market price by echoing the scent of fragrant rice.
China produced more than 70 million tonnes of tomatoes in 2023, yet flavor quality has declined.
The findings were published in the Journal of Integrative Agriculture on January 24.

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Story summary

Researchers in Zhejiang province, China, used CRISPR/Cas9 to silence two genes that suppress aromatic compounds, creating a tomato with a buttered popcorn scent.
The aroma aims to boost consumer appeal and market price by echoing the scent of fragrant rice.
China produced more than 70 million tonnes of tomatoes in 2023, yet flavor quality has declined.
The findings were published in the Journal of Integrative Agriculture on January 24.