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Article doesn't contain the word 'taste', which is my take on the problem. I'd rather people were breeding produce for taste rather than being pretty on shelves

by davidw 7y ago

Article doesn't contain the word 'taste', which is my take on the problem. I'd rather people were breeding produce for taste rather than being pretty on shelves and easy to transport. In Italy, produce on the shelves is generally not as pretty as here, but it tastes better. Other than that, though, valuable information.

pfranz 7y ago
Personally, I agree. I think that's a food culture and logistics situation. Most of these kinds of efforts are on reducing food waste, which is in line with shelf-stable, unbrusable food. I have suspicions that because of the young age and the frontier culture of much of US history, the US doesn't have much of a fresh/healthy food culture. I also think the past couple generations of microwaved/processed foods (which has their own benefits) and more recent improvements in year-round food has erased what little cultural knowledge of seasonal and local foods we had. There are a few movements, like Alice Waters, making some change, but I think in general it's very lacking compared to many other countries. Farmer's markets are where you can find fresher, more seasonal food. They often carry a lot more varieties. Including ones that either aren't familiar enough to the average person, or lack the shelf-life and durability of the mainstream varieties.
- davidw 7y ago
  I definitely think things are changing for the better in the US, slowly but surely. When I was a kid, "parmesan cheese" was that green shit in a can. Now, even here in remote, small-ish Bend, Oregon, I can get real Parmigiano Reggiano at Costco at a reasonable price.
jdietrich 7y ago
There's a significant tradeoff between taste and waste. Modern varieties are bred primarily for long shelf lives and durability during transportation. If you want fruits and vegetables year-round, they're inevitably going to be blander than local and seasonal produce.
- avip 7y ago
  The main impact is that we eat way more out-of-season fruits and veggies. Year-round-everything is a pretty new concept.
pkaye 7y ago
I've heard the reason that honey crisp apples are expensive is because they spoil easily in shipping. Those red delicious apples that nobody likes are easier to ship. So if you want to optimize produce for taste, buy locally.

by davidw 7y ago

pfranz 7y ago

Personally, I agree. I think that's a food culture and logistics situation. Most of these kinds of efforts are on reducing food waste, which is in line with shelf-stable, unbrusable food. I have suspicions that because of the young age and the frontier culture of much of US history, the US doesn't have much of a fresh/healthy food culture. I also think the past couple generations of microwaved/processed foods (which has their own benefits) and more recent improvements in year-round food has erased what little cultural knowledge of seasonal and local foods we had. There are a few movements, like Alice Waters, making some change, but I think in general it's very lacking compared to many other countries. Farmer's markets are where you can find fresher, more seasonal food. They often carry a lot more varieties. Including ones that either aren't familiar enough to the average person, or lack the shelf-life and durability of the mainstream varieties.

davidw 7y ago
I definitely think things are changing for the better in the US, slowly but surely. When I was a kid, "parmesan cheese" was that green shit in a can. Now, even here in remote, small-ish Bend, Oregon, I can get real Parmigiano Reggiano at Costco at a reasonable price.

jdietrich 7y ago

There's a significant tradeoff between taste and waste. Modern varieties are bred primarily for long shelf lives and durability during transportation. If you want fruits and vegetables year-round, they're inevitably going to be blander than local and seasonal produce.

avip 7y ago
The main impact is that we eat way more out-of-season fruits and veggies. Year-round-everything is a pretty new concept.

pkaye 7y ago

I've heard the reason that honey crisp apples are expensive is because they spoil easily in shipping. Those red delicious apples that nobody likes are easier to ship. So if you want to optimize produce for taste, buy locally.