The 'skeptical' about organic food

Demand for organic produce is on the rise but many Americans are still skeptical when it comes to taste, The Organic Center has said.

Taste plays a huge factor in converting people to try new foods and according to a Minnesota Opinion Research survey, 43 per cent of consumers say taste is a major reason why they purchase organic fruits and vegetables.

"So what are the other 57 per cent waiting for?," asks The Organic Center.

"People have a lot of misconceptions about what an organic meal tastes like," said celebrity chef Akasha Richmond.

Eighty-five to 90 per cent of the ingredients she uses in her A-list recipes are organic.

"Because organic is associated with something that is good for you, people think it will be too healthy and have no taste," Richmond added.

"But after they try it, most people are shocked at how much more flavor some of their favorite foods have."

Research by The Organic Center suggests that organic fruits and vegetables often taste better than their conventional counterparts.

Organic fruits and vegetables tend to score higher in taste because they are sweeter than conventionally-grown foods, according to The Organic Center.

Scientists say this is because of the nutrient density of organic produce and their smaller size.

Conventional farming methods are designed to produce bigger fruits and vegetables, but increasing cells size adds more water, diluting the concentrations of both vitamins and natural flavours.

Organic apples, strawberries and tomatoes showed some of the most significant differences in taste, The Organic Center said.

The report also shows that organic fruits and vegetables often have a longer shelf life than conventionally-grown foods.

"The higher levels of antioxidants, considered a natural preservative, are actually part of what enables some organic fruits and vegetables to store longer," the report said.

"The other contributing factor is the lower levels of nitrates that come from synthetic fertilizers, which aren't used in organic farming."

The global market for organic products reached a value of 25.5bn euros in 2005, with the vast majority of products being consumed in North America and Europe, figures from market research firm Organic Monitor show.

For 2006, the value of the global organic market is expected to break through the 30bn euros barrier.

source:www.999today.com