Posted: 6/21/2010 6:41:02 PM EDT
| Seems to me that the quality of produce has been dropping. Is it me or are any of you see this also. |
usually this is a good time of year with lots of fresh stuff but not so far
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I've noticed this year in particular, but for about the past 3 or 4 years, that the quality (particularly with respect to flavor) has really plummeted.
Watermelons (which I eat a lot) regardless of grower, don't taste as sweet, nor do they have that quintessential "watermelon" flavor. Bananas too, don't seem to be as sweet nor as bananay. Strawberries and blackberries, again flavorless and not very sweet, in fact quite sour. Cherries, same story (flavorless). I don't know if its because the growers are picking the fruit too early, wanting to get it on the market, or what. But the strawberries, cherries, and kiwi's that I've bought have all been very firm, leading me to suspect that they aren't being left "on the vine to ripen." It seems also that the Haas avocados don't have the same rich buttery/nutty flavor that they did say 5 years ago. That could also be a result of the drought, as the growers might not be watering or feeding them nearly enough (water, fertilizer, and plant food costs up). Many farms let sections of avocado trees die off because they just couldn't afford to water them. The blueberries I got were about the only fruit I thought were good. Sweet and ripe, although there were quite a few small, undersized, and under ripened, but that's not all that uncommon. I don't even bother with store bought tomatoes anymore, they're all just way too hard, watery, and flavorless. I think it all boils down to the rising cost of water in much of the nations breadbasket. Farmers are under watering and in a rush to pick the fruit, because they know the longer it sits on the tree the more it costs them and eats into their profits. But it could also have something to do with the age of these farms, particularly with respect to the ground that much of the produce is grown on. Crop rotation with respect to soil structure/fertility and depletion of soil nutrients is a real concern with many of these aging fields. You've got to figure that many of them have been worked consecutively for the past 60 or 70 years. I sure hope it doesn't have any to do with the genetic modification of the food 
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| Produce SUCKS lately. Which is really, really hard for me since about 80% or more of my diet is fresh veggies and a little fruit. Costco stopped carrying a whole bunch of organic stuff I guess 'cuz it's getting too expensive. It seems that I've been having a lot better luck buying local. More expensive, but probably better for everyone in the long run. |
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The stuff in grocery stores was picked VERY green and forced into appearing ripe. This is because it usually comes from very far away, often crossing an ocean to get to you. Obviously the flavor never gets a chance to properly develop while the fruit is still on the vine.
Buy local produce from corner stands and farmer's markets. Or, start your own garden. 
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Depends on where you get it. I find that the appearance of fruit in stores in directly related to how it tastes. Fresh fruit that hasn't been created to look good but taste bland is found in most chains. Fruit that has some spots and bumps and bruises but lots of taste is usually found in markets and farm stands or u-pick farms.
Try buying strawberries from a chain grocery..they'll keep in your fridge for a week. If you pick them, you'd better be prepared to use them in a day or so or they're moldy and mushy. |
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Fruits and veggies....
Seems that quality has dropped, flavor is non-existent in many items.... Almost seems like the companies are dumping items in a hurry - this could be because of the changed rail situation, with the drop in the economy there simply are not as many trains moving freight. |
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I picked up some green seedless grapes from Chile about a month ago that were fantastic. The ones since have been from Mexico and California and have generally sucked. Similar with cherries. Just sort of blah currently. No problems with bananas, potatoes, carrots, lettuce. Tomatoes are hit or miss. I just take the approach that if the fruits and veggies are sub-standard that it's a sign to get a bigger steak! |
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Quoted:
I picked up some green seedless grapes from Chile about a month ago that were fantastic. The ones since have been from Mexico and California and have generally sucked. Similar with cherries. Just sort of blah currently. No problems with bananas, potatoes, carrots, lettuce. Tomatoes are hit or miss. I just take the approach that if the fruits and veggies are sub-standard that it's a sign to get a bigger steak! I know what you are saying but my doctor doesn't accept my contention that bacon is a veggie/fruit and I should eat 5 servings a day. |
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Come join us in the garden forum.
I have delicious cucumbers, fresh lettuce and mesclun, spicy radishes, scallions, okra and snow peas. More than I can eat. I'm giving it away. Tomatoes and eggplant on the way, peppers and carrots too. Squash coming in soon and fifteen different fresh herbs from chervil to cinnamon Basil. |