Solanum melongena
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Solanaceae
Genus:	Solanum
Species:	S. melongena
Binomial name
Solanum melongena L.
Synonyms
Solanum ovigerum Dunal Solanum trongum Poir. and see text

The eggplant, aubergine, melongene, brinjal or guinea squash (Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae (also known as the nightshades) and genus Solanum. It bears a fruit of the same name, commonly used in cooking. As a nightshade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato. It is native to India.^[1][2]

It is a delicate perennial often cultivated as an annual. It grows 40 to 150 cm (16 to 57 in) tall, with large coarsely lobed leaves that are 10 to 20 cm (4–8 in) long and 5 to 10 cm (2–4 in) broad. Semiwild types can grow much larger, to 225 cm (7 ft) with large leaves over 30 cm (12 in) long and 15 cm (6 in) broad. The stem is often spiny. The flowers are white to purple, with a five-lobed corolla and yellow stamens. The fruit is fleshy, has a meaty texture, and is less than 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter on wild plants, but much larger in cultivated forms.

The fruit is botanically classified as a berry and contains numerous small, soft seeds which are edible, but have a bitter taste because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids; this is unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.

History[link]

Solanum melongena, flower

The plant is native to the Indian subcontinent.^[1][2] It has been cultivated in southern and eastern Asia since prehistory,^{[citation needed]} but appears to have become known to the Western world no earlier than ca. 1500. The first known written record of the plant is found in Qí mín yào shù, an ancient Chinese agricultural treatise completed in 544.^[3] The numerous Arabic and North African names for it, along with the lack of the ancient Greek and Roman names, indicate it was introduced throughout the Mediterranean area by the Arabs in the early Middle Ages. The scientific name Solanum melongena is derived from a 16th century Arabic term for one variety.

The name aubergine is from the French, a diminutive of auberge, variant of alberge ‘a kind of peach’ or from the Spanish alberchigo, alverchiga, ‘an apricocke’ (Minsheu 1623).^[4] It may be also be derived from Catalan albergínia, from Arabic al-baðinjān from Persian bâdenjân, from Sanskrit vātiga-gama).

Aubergine is also the name of the purple color resembling that of the fruit^[4] and is a commonly known color scheme^[5] applied to articles as diverse as cloth or bathroom suites.

The popular name eggplant is used in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It derives from the fruits of some 18th century European cultivars which were yellow or white and resembled goose or hen's eggs.^[6]

In Indian, South African, Malaysian and Singaporean English, the fruit is called brinjal, being derived directly from the Portuguese beringela. A less common British English word is melongene, which is also from French (derived) from Italian "melanzana" from Greek "μελιτζάνα". In the Caribbean Trinidad, it also goes by "meloongen" from melongene.

Because of the plant's relationship with the Solanaceae (nightshade) family, the fruit was at one time believed to be extremely poisonous.

Cultivated varieties[link]

Three varieties of eggplant fruit

In Thai cuisine small and round varieties are preferred.

Different varieties of the plant produce fruit of different size, shape and color, though typically purple. There are even orange varieties.

The most widely cultivated varieties (cultivars) in Europe and North America today are elongated ovoid, 12–25 cm long (4½ to 9 in) and 6–9 cm broad (2 to 4 in) in a dark purple skin.

A much wider range of shapes, sizes and colors is grown in India and elsewhere in Asia. Larger varieties weighing up to a kilogram (2.2 pounds) grow in the region between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, while smaller varieties are found elsewhere. Colors vary from white to yellow or green as well as reddish-purple and dark purple. Some cultivars have a color gradient, from white at the stem to bright pink to deep purple or even black. Green or purple cultivars in white striping also exist. Chinese varieties are commonly shaped like a narrower, slightly pendulous cucumber, and were sometimes called Japanese eggplants in North America.

Oval or elongated oval-shaped and black-skinned cultivars include Harris Special Hibush, Burpee Hybrid, Black Magic, Classic, Dusky, and Black Beauty. Slim cultivars in purple-black skin include Little Fingers, Ichiban, Pingtung Long, and Tycoon; in green skin Louisiana Long Green and Thai (Long) Green; in white skin Dourga. Traditional, white-skinned, egg-shaped cultivars include Casper and Easter Egg. Bicolored cultivars with color gradient include Rosa Bianca, Violetta di Firenze, Bianca Smufata di Rosa (heirloom), and Prosperosa (heirloom). Bicolored cultivars with striping include Listada de Gandia and Udumalapet. In some parts of India, miniature varieties (most commonly called vengan) are popular. A particular variety of green brinjal known as Matti Gulla is grown in Matti, a village of the Udupi district in Karnataka state.

Cooking[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Eggplant-based food

The raw fruit can have a somewhat bitter taste, but becomes tender when cooked and develops a rich, complex flavor. Traditionally, recipes would advise the salting, rinsing and draining of the sliced fruit (known as "degorging") to soften it and to reduce the amount of fat absorbed during cooking, but mainly to remove the bitterness of the earlier cultivars. Some modern varieties - including those large, purple varieties commonly imported into western Europe - do not need this treatment. The fruit is capable of absorbing large amounts of cooking fats and sauces, allowing for very rich dishes, but the salting process will reduce the amount of oil absorbed. The fruit flesh is smooth; as in the related tomato, the numerous seeds are soft and edible along with the rest of the fruit. The thin skin is also edible, so peeling is not required.

Melanzane alla Parmigiana, or Eggplant Parmesan

The plant is used in cuisines from Japan to Spain. It is often stewed, as in the French ratatouille, the Italian parmigiana di melanzane, the Turkish karnıyarık or musakka, and Middle-Eastern and South Asian dishes. Eggplants can also be battered before deep-frying and served with a sauce made of tahini and tamarind. In Iranian cuisine, it can be blended with whey as kashk e-bademjan, tomatoes as mirza ghasemi or made into stew as khoresh-e-bademjan. It can be sliced and deep-fried, then served with plain yogurt, (optionally) topped with a tomato and garlic sauce, such as in the Turkish dish patlıcan kızartması (meaning: fried aubergines) or without yogurt as in patlıcan şakşuka. However, arguably the most famous Turkish eggplant dish duo is İmam bayıldı (vegetarian) and Karnıyarık (with minced meat).

It may also be roasted in its skin until charred, so the pulp can be removed and blended with other ingredients, such as lemon, tahini, and garlic, as in the Middle Eastern dish baba ghanoush and the similar Greek dish melitzanosalata. Grilled, mashed and mixed with onions, tomatoes and spices make the Indian dish baingan ka Bhartha or gojju, similar to salată de vinete in Romania, while a mix of roasted eggplant, roasted red peppers, chopped onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, celery and spices is called zacuscă in Romania or ajvar in Serbia and the Balkans. A simpler version of the dish, Begun-Pora (eggplant-charred or burnt), is popular in the east Indian state of Bengal and Bangladesh where the charred pulp is mixed with raw chopped onions, green chillies, salt and mustard oil. A Catalan dish called Escalivada calls for strips of roasted aubergine, sweet pepper, onion and tomato.

The fruit can also be stuffed with meat, rice, or other fillings and then baked. In the Caucasus, for example, it is fried and stuffed with walnut paste to make nigvziani badrijani. It can also be found in Chinese cuisine, braised (紅燒茄子), stewed (魚香茄子), steamed (凉拌茄子), or stuffed (釀茄子).

As a native plant, it is widely used in Indian cuisine, for example in sambhar, dalma (a dal preparation with vegetables, native to Orissa), chutney, curry, and achaar. Owing to its versatile nature and wide use in both everyday and festive Indian food, it is often described (under the name brinjal) as the "King of Vegetables". In one dish, brinjal is stuffed with ground coconut, peanuts, and masala, and then cooked in oil.

Cultivation[link]

Worldwide eggplant production

Eggplants being sorted just after harvest

In tropical and subtropical climates, eggplant can be sown directly into the garden. Eggplant grown in temperate climates fares better when transplanted into the garden after all danger of frost is passed. Seeds are typically started eight to ten weeks prior to the anticipated frost-free date.

Many pests and diseases which afflict other solanaceous plants, such as tomato, pepper (capsicum), and potato, are also troublesome to eggplants. For this reason, it should not be planted in areas previously occupied by its close relatives. Four years should separate successive crops of eggplants. Common North American pests include the potato beetles, flea beetles, aphids, and spider mites. (Adults can be removed by hand, though flea beetles can be especially difficult to control.) Good sanitation and crop rotation practices are extremely important for controlling fungal disease, the most serious of which is Verticillium.

Spacing should be 45 cm (18 in.) to 60 cm (24 in.) between plants, depending on cultivar, and 60 cm to 90 cm (24 to 36 in.) between rows, depending on the type of cultivation equipment being used. Mulching will help conserve moisture and prevent weeds and fungal diseases. The flowers are relatively unattractive to bees and the first blossoms often do not set fruit. Hand pollination will improve the set of the first blossoms. Fruits are typically cut from the vine just above the calyx owing to the somewhat woody stems. Flowers are complete, containing both female and male structures, and may be self pollinated or cross pollinated.^[7]

Statistics[link]

A purple eggplant which has been sliced in half, showing the inside, the flesh surrounding the seeds is already beginning to oxidize and will turn brown just minutes after slicing.

An Indian Purple Eggplant (Brinjal)

According to FAO in 2010 production of eggplant is highly concentrated, with 90 percent of output coming from five countries. China is the top producer (58% of world output) and India is second (25%); Egypt, Iran and Turkey round out the top producing nations. More than 4 million acres (1,660,671 hectares) are devoted to the cultivation of eggplant in the world.^[8] In the United States, Georgia is the largest producing state.^[9]

Top ten eggplant/aubergine producers — 2010
Country	Production (Tonnes)	Footnote
People's Republic of China	24,501,936	F
India	10,563,000
Egypt	1,229,790	F
Iran	888,500	F
Turkey	849,998
Indonesia	482,305	F
Iraq	387,435	F
Japan	330,100	F
Italy	302,551
Philippines	208,252
World	41,840,989	A
No symbol = official figure, P = official figure, F = FAO estimate, * = Unofficial/Semi-official/mirror data, C = Calculated figure A = Aggregate (may include official, semi-official or estimates); Source: UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO)[10]

Health properties[link]

Studies of the Institute of Biology of São Paulo State University, Brazil, have shown eggplant is effective in the treatment of high blood cholesterol.^{[citation needed]} Another study from Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo found no effects at all and does not recommend eggplant as a replacement to statins.^[11]

It helps to block the formation of free radicals and is also a source of folic acid and potassium.^[12]

Eggplant is richer in nicotine than any other edible plant, with a concentration of 100 ng/g (or 0.01 mg/100g). However, the amount of nicotine from eggplant or any other food is negligible compared to passive smoking.^[13] On average, 20 lbs (9 kg) of eggplant contains about the same amount of nicotine as a cigarette.

Allergies[link]

Case reports of itchy skin and/or mouth, mild headache and stomach upset after handling and/or eating eggplant have been reported anecdotally and published in medical journals (see also oral allergy syndrome). A recent (2008) study of a sample of 741 people in India (where eggplant is commonly consumed) found nearly 10% reported some allergic symptoms after consuming eggplant, while 1.4% showed symptoms in less than 2 hours.^[14] Contact dermatitis from eggplant leaves^[15] and allergy to eggplant flower pollen^[16] have also been reported. Individuals who are atopic (genetically predisposed to hypersensitivity, such as hay fever) are more likely to have a reaction to eggplant, which may be because eggplant is high in histamines. A few proteins and at least one secondary metabolite have been identified as potential allergens.^[17] Cooking eggplant thoroughly seems to preclude reactions in some individuals, but at least one of the allergenic proteins survives the cooking process.

Varieties[link]

• Solanum melongena var. esculentum common eggplant, with many cultivars^[18]
• Solanum melongena var. depressum dwarf eggplant
• Solanum melongena var. serpentium snake eggplant

Genetically engineered variety[link]

Bt brinjal is a transgenic eggplant which has a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis inserted into it. This variety was designed to give the plant resistance against lepidopteran insects like the brinjal fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) and fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera).^[19]

On 9 February 2010, the Indian Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh, imposed a moratorium on the cultivation of Bt brinjal.^[20] His decision was made after protest from several groups responding to regulatory approval of the cultivation of Bt brinjal in October, 2009. Ramesh stated the moratorium will last "for as long as it is needed to establish public trust and confidence".

Synonyms[link]

The eggplant is quite often featured in the older scientific literature under the junior synonyms S. ovigerum and S. trongum. A list of other now-invalid names have been uniquely applied to it:^[21]

• Melongena ovata Mill.
• Solanum album Noronha
• Solanum insanum L.
• Solanum longum Roxb.
• Solanum melanocarpum Dunal
• Solanum melongenum St.-Lag.
• Solanum oviferum Salisb.
• Prachi Salisb.

A number of subspecies and varieties have been named, mainly by Dikii, Dunal, and (invalidly) by Sweet. Names for various eggplant types, such as agreste, album, divaricatum, esculentum, giganteum, globosi, inerme, insanum, leucoum, luteum, multifidum, oblongo-cylindricum, ovigera, racemiflorum, racemosum, ruber, rumphii, sinuatorepandum, stenoleucum, subrepandum, tongdongense, variegatum, violaceum and viride, are not considered to refer to anything more than cultivar groups at best. On the other hand, Solanum incanum and cockroach berry (S. capsicoides), other eggplant-like nightshades described by Linnaeus and Allioni respectively, were occasionally considered eggplant varieties, but this is not correct.^[21]

The eggplant has a long history of taxonomic confusion with the scarlet and Ethiopian eggplants, known as gilo and nakati and described by Linnaeus as S. aethiopicum. The eggplant was sometimes considered a variety violaceum of that species. S. violaceum of de Candolle applies to Linnaeus' S. aethiopicum. There is an actual S. violaceum, an unrelated plant described by Ortega, which used to include Dunal's S. amblymerum and was often confused with the same author's S. brownii.^[21]

Like the potato and Solanum lichtensteinii—but unlike the tomato which then was generally put in a different genus—the eggplant was also described as S. esculentum, in this case once more in the course of Dunal's work. He also recognized varieties aculeatum, inerme and subinerme at that time. Similarly, H.C.F. Schuhmacher and Peter Thonning named the eggplant as S. edule, which is also a junior synonym of sticky nightshade (S. sisymbriifolium). Scopoli's S. zeylanicum refers to the eggplant, and that of Blanco to S. lasiocarpum.^[21]

Gallery[link]

The following are eggplant fruit and plants from various parts of the world.

• 

  Purple eggplants showing typical "Aubergine" color

• Mattigulla.jpg

  Matti Gulla or Green Brinjal is a special type of brinjal grown in the village Matti, Udupi district of Karnataka State, India.

• 

  Brinjal plant from India. The green fruits turn yellow when ripe.

• 

  Showing the Japanese eggplant flower.

• 

  Japanese eggplant.

• 

  Eggplant flower

• 

  Ripe thick shorter variety.

• 

  Showing leaf structure of that variety.

• 

  Plant with long fruits.

• 

  Long slender eggplant variety.

• 

  Flowers of the Thai eggplant.

• 

  Fruit of the Thai eggplant. The white residue on the leaves is common.

• 

  Matured yellow eggplant in Malaysia.

• 

  Berenjenas de Almagro: Seasoned and pickled Almagro eggplant from Spain.

See also[link]

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Solanaceae Source [2008]: Solanum melongena. Retrieved 2008-SEP-25.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Solanum melongena

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on Eggplant

• Growing eggplant in your garden
• Aubergine: Plants for a Future database
• Solanum melongena L. on Solanaceae Source: Images, specimens and a full list of scientific synonyms previously used to refer to the eggplant.
• plantation the Malaysian brinjal without fertilizers
• Eggplant's Nutritional Values Eggplant nutritional values and best ways to consume^{[dead link]}

The Annoying Orange is an American comedy web series created by Dane Boedigheimer in 2009. It stars Boedigheimer as an anthropomorphic orange who annoys other fruits, vegetables, and various other objects by using crude-humored jokes. Due to the popularity of the show, The Annoying Orange has also become the subject of a TV series, a video game, a range of toys, and a t-shirt line, despite the show's negative reaction. Other accessories, such as costumes of the series characters, have also appeared on the market.

Summary[link]

The show is centered on Orange (voiced by Dane Boedigheimer), who resides on a kitchen counter with other objects such as his best friend Pear, a Bartlett pear (also voiced by Boedigheimer). Other fruits include Passion, a female passionfruit played by Justine Ezarik, grapefruit, a tiny apple known as Midget Apple (though he prefers the name Little Apple), a small marshmallow, and an elderly lemon named Grandpa Lemon, all of whom were not main characters until later episodes. Most episodes consist of Orange heckling other characters until they meet a sudden and gruesome end, usually by evisceration with a chef's knife (although the implements used to cut them up range from a blender to a toy pinwheel). Usually, Orange tries to "warn" them before it happens, blurting out the weapon-in-use, such as "Knife!"^[1]

Orange has several recurring mannerisms. He often begins an episode by repeatedly yelling "Hey, (name of character)!" until the character responds. Orange also often refers to said character as something that plays on the object's name or appearance (such as calling Grapefruit "Apefruit"). If he does not like an object, he will often say, "You're an apple!", even if the object is not (e.g. a tomato). Orange uses various tactics, such as telling rude and offensive jokes, burping, and making childish noises with his tongue, to get attention. He also has a loud, braying laugh.

Characters[link]

Main[link]

• Orange is the lead protagonist (or antagonist, as he literally annoys others until their death) and main character, appearing in every episode since the series began on October 9, 2009. He has yellow teeth, grey eyes, and a braying laugh. He is known for his annoying puns which he uses in every episode, although hardly any of the fruits seem to find his puns amusing. His standard reply, uttered after being taken to task for being so annoying, is, "No I'm not. I'm an orange!"^[1]
• Pear made his initial (albeit brief) appearance in the first episode, before becoming a regular character since the episode "Passion of the Fruit". He is a Bartlett pear who inhabits the same kitchen counter as Orange, his best friend. Despite their friendship, he is often annoyed by Orange, and initially wants to die early on, although he subtly warms up to Orange's antics afterwards. Pear tries to help others maintain control, and is depicted as more intelligent than Orange.
• Passion Fruit (voiced by YouTube vlogger iJustine), or simply "Passion," first appeared on February 19, 2010 in "Passion of the Fruit". Passion is offended by insults, attempts to settle issues, and scolds Orange and other characters. Unbeknownst to Passion, Orange has a crush on her. She has a twin sister named Mandy, who appeared in "Wishful Thinking," and is in love with Pear.
• Midget Apple was first seen in the episode "Crabapple" on August 6, 2010. Also voiced by Boedigheimer, he is a tiny Red Delicious apple. A friend of Orange, Pear, Passion, and especially Marshmallow, he dislikes being called "Midget Apple," preferring the term "'Little Apple."
• Marshmallow debuted in the episode "Annoying Saw 2: The Annoying Death Trap" on September 24, 2010. He is a small, childlike, squeaky-voiced marshmallow that becomes friends with Orange in the episode. Marshmallow is typically presented as cheerful and happy, and claims to love "puppies, and unicorns, and bunnies, and rainbows, and clouds, and kittens, and bunnies, and rainbows." The character is shown to absorb significant damage to his body, from cuts, fire, and throwing stars, but still emerges largely unscathed. Despite his cuteness, size, and cheerfulness, when something or someone angers him, he tends to act destructively, both towards his friends and the area around him. Although his theme song calls him a "he", it was stated by Boedigheimer that it only referred to the term "marshmallow", which is a masculine word, and not the character itself. Thus, Marshmallow's true gender is male, because he has the face of Dane Boedigheimer.
• Grapefruit (voiced by Robert Jennings) first appeared in "Passion of the Fruit" as Orange's archenemy. He often engages in juvenile insults with Orange. The character was killed by Knife in his debut, but became a recurring character after being resurrected as part of the Frankenfruit monster in "Frankenfruit."
• Grandpa Lemon (played by Kevin Brueck) is an elderly, forgetful lemon who has a habit of falling asleep at rather odd and annoying times. First appearing in "Grandpa Lemon" on June 4, 2010, he is unfazed by Orange's taunts about his memory loss and sleeping habits. Sliced in half by Knife in his debut, he became part of the Frankenfruit monster in Frankenfruit, and has become a recurring character ever since.

Recurring[link]

• Knife (voiced by Kevin Nalty) was initially introduced simply as a kitchen tool in "Annoying Orange". He appears when Orange announces his presence, proceeding to slice up the other fruits and vegetables. His first appearance as a character was in "No More Mr. Knife Guy." Knife is shown to be at odds with his role in the series, hating his life because of how he is used. His mortal enemy is a knife sharpener due to the pain involved.
• Liam the Leprechaun (played by Robert Jennings) first appeared in the episode "Luck o' the Irish" as a bad-tempered leprechaun, who loses his pot of gold to Orange. Orange tends to call him "Jolly Green Giant." Crushed by his pot of gold at the end of the episode, Liam is currently a recurring character, and is also the title character of a former spin-off series on his own YouTube channel.^[2] He still continues to return to the Annoying Orange series as a recurring character.
• Squash has appeared in quite a few episodes over 2011-2012. He is similar to Knife, only the fruits get squashed to death, not cut to death. He also appeares as a main fruit in an episode on certain occasions.

Background[link]

Dane Boedigheimer
Born	(1979-09-28) September 28, 1979 (age 32)[3] Harwood, North Dakota
Residence	Los Angeles, California
Nationality	United States of America
Alma mater	University of Minnesota
Occupation	filmmaker, Youtube celebrity
Years active	2004-present
Notable work(s)	The Annoying Orange

Dane Boedigheimer frequently made home videos as a teen.^[4] During his college years, he studied filmmaking in Minnesota, where he met Spencer Grove as an undergraduate.^[5] After finishing college, Boedigheimer and Grove moved to Bakersfield, California and then in 2004 moved to Los Angeles,^[4] where they both worked as production assistants for MTV's Pimp My Ride.^[6] After finishing working for the show, Dane decided that he didn't want to pursue a career in television; "It wasn't me," said Dane. "I wanted to be creative and do things my own way."^[7]

Boedigheimer and his production company, Gagfilms, slowly built a core of fans. In 2006, he opened two Youtube channels named Daneboe and Gagfilms, producing several video series.^[6] Dane's videos have been viewed over 500 million times and have been featured on TV, popular entertainment, news, and video sharing websites.^[8][9] He is also known for his ongoing "Video Game Mashups" series of videos.^[10] In 2010, Boedigheimer's YouTube channel had almost 350 million views and earned an income of $288,000 from ads.^[11]

Before The Annoying Orange, Boedigheimer had done many talking food videos for his channel and other sites including JibJab. He said in an interview that the idea for The Annoying Orange was a combination of the talking food videos, puns and special effects he came up with and did before.^[12] The original video was initially meant to be the only Annoying Orange video on YouTube. However, many viewers requested more videos,^[1][13] and after the 4th one, Boedigheimer decided to make a full-time series. Following the success of the series, he created a channel dedicated to The Annoying Orange under the name "realannoyingorange" on January 11, 2010.

New episodes of The Annoying Orange are released on a weekly basis, with a few exceptions. The episodes are released every Friday on realannoyingorange's YouTube channel.^[1]

Reception[link]

The series was rated as the most viewed web series of February and March 2010 by Mashable, with over 52 million views.^[14][15] On April 26, 2010, the series had over 108 million views on YouTube.^[1][16][17] In June 2010, the channel had received 137 million views.^[13] By August 13, 2010, it received had 1 million subscribers. On June 2011, the channel was ranked as the eighth most subscribed and 30th most viewed, with more than 2,000,000 subscribers.^[18][19] On January 13, 2012, the series hit 1 billion channel views and 2.3 million subscribers.^[20][21]

Despite the show's popularity, it has received some negative critical response. Liz Shannon Miller considered the show to be "annoying for many reasons."^[22] In the web series column Pass the Mustard, Ned Hepburn called the show "pure, pure unfunny, highly concentrated, in droplet form, just purely nonsensical riffing from an Annoying Orange." Hepburn concluded, "the Annoying Orange series is one of the few that I had a physically bad reaction to. It was horrible."^[23] 411mania.com called the show "idiotic" and "creepy as hell",^[24] while other publications have referred to it as "third grade humor."^[1]

Merchandise[link]

Since late 2011, The Collective has produced many accessories, toys and clothing with toymaker The Bridge Direct and clothing retailers such as JCPenney, Shopko and rue21.^[25] On November 10, 2011, GeekDad announced a giveaway for an Annoying Orange T-shirt from JCPenney and a toy from Toys R Us. GeekDad started taking entries through Friday at 11:59 PM.^[26] The Collective also announced a partnership in December of that year with costume manufacturer Rubie's Costume Company to produce children and adult Halloween costumes and accessories featuring characters such as Orange, Pear, Marshmallow, and Midget Apple from the web series.^[27]

Games[link]

A video game developed by Bottle Rocket Apps named Kitchen Carnage was released for the iPod Touch and iPhone on April 7, 2011. The game was later released in HD for the iPad on May 6, 2011, and for Android devices on October 14, 2011. Players throw various produce items across the kitchen at a series of blenders and other kitchen utensils.

TV series[link]

References[link]