9.7 From Plate to Planet

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9.7.10 Look or Taste

Sad but true. But what are the reasons behind?

🌟Reason one

- Farmers often choose to grow produce that looks good, grows big, and can last a long time before it spoils. It’s true — food that holds up well during transport and still looks fresh after days on a store shelf is easier to sell.

And here’s the surprising part: you’re part of the reason, too! Think about it: when you’re at the market, do you pick the smaller, slightly imperfect apple or the big, shiny one? Many of us pick the larger ones, even though big fruits often have more water inside, which means less flavor.

By choosing products based on looks, we’re encouraging stores and farms to stock fruits and veggies that might look amazing but taste a little…blah.

🌟Reason two

- Soil is not as healthy as used to be. If we keep growing the same crops over and over without giving the soil a break, it starts to lose the ‘good stuff’ that helps plants grow strong and tasty.

Long time ago, farmers used different ways to keep soil healthy, like planting different crops every season (crop rotation) and adding natural compost. This gave fruits and veggies lots of good nutrients for flavor.

Now, though, we use chemical fertilizers to help plants grow quickly, but they don’t give back as much of the special nutrients that make food taste good.

🌟Reason three

- Climate change is changing the taste of our fruits and veggies. With all the unusual weather, like extra hot days or unexpected rain, plants get a bit confused. This can mess up how much sugar and other tasty stuff they make.

When plants are stressed by weather, they don’t get to grow just right, so they end up with less flavor. So, the same tomato or apple that used to be super tasty might not taste as good if it had to grow through weird weather.

 

  • If you could choose between two apples—one big and shiny but not as tasty, or one small and delicious—which one would you pick?
  • Have you ever eaten a fruit or vegetable that looked a little funny or out of shape? Did it taste the same?
  • Would you choose a banana with a few spots if it tasted really sweet, or a spotless banana that’s not as flavourful?
  • If someone gave you a funny-looking carrot that tasted amazing, would you eat it?
  • Have you noticed any foods that don’t taste as good as they look?
  • If a fruit or veggie has small marks or dents, do you avoid it, or are you okay with it if it still tastes good?
  • When you're in the grocery store or market, what do you notice first—how the food looks, or how you think it will taste?
  • Have you ever done a taste test with two similar fruits or veggies to see if there’s a difference? What did you find out?
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