Slog
News & ArtsTuesday, January 31, 2012
Chow The Only Organic Thing I Care About
Posted by David Schmader on Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:44 PM
25
It's all because they are not treated, and must be shipped and sold faster. Yes, organic bananas really do taste better. If your regular ones in your area taste almost as good, you must be lucky and get some pretty fresh produce in. Not all areas are so lucky, obviously. Or, some of you just aren't super-tasters, haha.
24
22 Could be the ripeness. A slightly less ripe banana has less of its starches converted to sugar. As 21 said, all Cavendish bananas are genetically identical.
FWIW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zqe4ZV9L… (NSFW, language)
FWIW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zqe4ZV9L… (NSFW, language)
23
the only thing worse than refusing to eat organic fruits and vegetables is people who eat them and look down their nose at others who dont.
not everyone can afford organic foods (fortunately im one of the few who can)
not everyone can afford organic foods (fortunately im one of the few who can)
22
I have done a taste test, @21, and they do taste different. I find them to be less sweet. Something about the mouth feel too.
21
I for one believe this is all in your head... you should do a blind taste test to know for sure. Take two organic and two regular bananas (mix up the ripeness of all four for added difficulty) and see if you really can taste which ones are organic. I'm betting you can't. Why? because the vast majority of bananas we consume in this country are genetically identical forms of the Cavendish strain of banana. The only differences would be the pesticides, which as someone above already pointed out, can't penetrate the peel.
19
haha about 6 months ago when i finally broke down and bought my first organic banana (not by choice, it was all they had at madison market), i made this same observation
all other fruits that i eat taste about the same generic safeway vs madison market.
but bananas? forget about it.
all other fruits that i eat taste about the same generic safeway vs madison market.
but bananas? forget about it.
18
If only US stores had more varieties of small bananas. Recently we got some small bananas at Ranch 99 and they had a lemon-banana flavor. Not organic though. I think the "they are small so they taste better" hypothesis might have some possibilities.
17
The preference for organic over non-organic doesn't have anything to do with taste, or nutrients. By far the most important factor in both of those things is freshness, and traditionally non-organic produce is fresher, because it sells faster and turns over quicker in the stores. Ancient old produce tastes like ass and has no nutrients at all; you're much better with canned or frozen, frankly.
Also, much organic produce these days is produced in conditions that may earn that organic certification but are by no means ecologically sound. Tomatoes, in particular, tend to be the same tennis-ball varieties grown by giant multinationals in shockingly abusive water regimens in Baja California, that are destroying the fragile ecology of the region. To quote Tom Philpott in Mother Jones, "Want organic tomatoes in the cold months? Buy them in a can".
On the other hand, organic coffee is revitalizing peasant communities, like the Mam in southern Mexico, and helping them move away from the worst abuses of industrial petrochemical growing.
There are no magic bullets. There is no way to ensure sustainability just by looking at a sticker on the side of the package, alas.
Also, much organic produce these days is produced in conditions that may earn that organic certification but are by no means ecologically sound. Tomatoes, in particular, tend to be the same tennis-ball varieties grown by giant multinationals in shockingly abusive water regimens in Baja California, that are destroying the fragile ecology of the region. To quote Tom Philpott in Mother Jones, "Want organic tomatoes in the cold months? Buy them in a can".
On the other hand, organic coffee is revitalizing peasant communities, like the Mam in southern Mexico, and helping them move away from the worst abuses of industrial petrochemical growing.
There are no magic bullets. There is no way to ensure sustainability just by looking at a sticker on the side of the package, alas.
15
@14,
There's supposedly a shortage of organic milk right now, which probably explains the vast price differential. I'd still try to split the difference and get non-hormone milk.
There's supposedly a shortage of organic milk right now, which probably explains the vast price differential. I'd still try to split the difference and get non-hormone milk.
14
@13 I will look! I'm already on entirely organic produce, but organic milk was about twice the price of non-organic last time I checked and I go through a lot of milk :X
(I'm also in North Carolina, not Seattle, things may be different here >.>)
(I'm also in North Carolina, not Seattle, things may be different here >.>)
13
@10 I understand your consternation with price. But, take another look. I have seen the price come down significantly and is now competitive with non-organic.
12
I agree that *certain* organic bananas taste better, but are less likely to be wonderful when sourced from Safeway/QFC.
I wish organic apples were as awesome-looking as their conventional counterparts.
I wish organic apples were as awesome-looking as their conventional counterparts.
11
Is that an organic stock banana photo?
Cannot taste the difference myself. Can always tell with eggs, meat products, and apples, though.
Cannot taste the difference myself. Can always tell with eggs, meat products, and apples, though.
10
I don't understand that 3rd option. Bananas are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Complex carbs, some sugars, lots of potassium and other good stuff, even have serotonin to make you feel better.
But organic bananas are delicious. Also not irradiated to kill pests like non-organic bananas! And since bananas hold onto radiation weirdly well (like, seriously, it's well documented and bizarre), I'mma take the not-hot-foods!
I wish I could eat everything organic, but alas, I am a grad student, and need to also pay rent.
But organic bananas are delicious. Also not irradiated to kill pests like non-organic bananas! And since bananas hold onto radiation weirdly well (like, seriously, it's well documented and bizarre), I'mma take the not-hot-foods!
I wish I could eat everything organic, but alas, I am a grad student, and need to also pay rent.
9
My daughter visited a conventional banana plantation in Central America and immediately swore off bananas altogether. Organics are at least a compromise.
8
I try to buy organic produce as much as possible (and I agree with raku - getting organic from QFC or especially Safeway isn't that different than getting non-organic), but bananas are one item that I don't worry about organic vs. non. I don't really taste a difference, and because we don't eat the peel, it's not the highest priority.
OTOH, the first time I ate organic broccoli was a transcendant moment. SUCH a difference - even if you have to be careful about searching for little green inchworms that are the exact same color as the stalks.
OTOH, the first time I ate organic broccoli was a transcendant moment. SUCH a difference - even if you have to be careful about searching for little green inchworms that are the exact same color as the stalks.
7
Bananas were my organic gateway food when I used to shop at QFC, but if you go to a place that cares about food, fresh produce gets to be MUCH better for everything. I can't even eat fresh herbs and apples and greens from a place like QFC or Trader Joe's anymore, even though they're more expensive than Madison Market.
1 (worst) - Non-organic fruits/veggies
2 - Organic fruits/veggies from chain stores like QFC/Safeway/Trader Joe's - sometimes barely a difference from #1
3 - Organic fruits/veggies from a place that cares about fruits/veggies like Madison Market - YUM
4 (best) - Farmer's market (no bananas) - BEST
1 (worst) - Non-organic fruits/veggies
2 - Organic fruits/veggies from chain stores like QFC/Safeway/Trader Joe's - sometimes barely a difference from #1
3 - Organic fruits/veggies from a place that cares about fruits/veggies like Madison Market - YUM
4 (best) - Farmer's market (no bananas) - BEST
6
Organic bananas do taste a little bit better, but organic or not, when I'm eating bananas I can never quite get past that bitter aftertaste of assassinations and coups and the subjugation of basically the entirety of Central America for the sake of our breakfasts.
5
I thought you might care about them because you can put them in your butt.
Seriously, they are like natures disposable dildo.
Seriously, they are like natures disposable dildo.
4
I think it's because they're typically smaller. It's like the taste is more concentrated or something.
That's probably not scientifically accurate, though.
That's probably not scientifically accurate, though.
3
I find the American Standard banana to be boring as hell compared to most other varieties. Head to an asian grocery store and try some of the little bananas they have there (or better - take a trip to the tropics and try a fresh one).
I'll eat a standard banana because they're easy to find, but organic/non taste the same to me.
I'll eat a standard banana because they're easy to find, but organic/non taste the same to me.
2
I can't taste a difference, and I've always read that organic bananas are a ripoff, as are any fruits/veggies with a non-edible skin, since the pesticides and other bullshit can't get through.
1
I find organic foods do taste way better. In fact, I was surprised at how delicious organic carrots are. That started me on an organic kick.
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