Can a person really taste the difference between organic and non organic vegetables? This week I decided to conduct a produce experiment that puts this question to the test. While choosing produce I often compare prices between organic and non organic vegetables before I make a decision on which to purchase.  From a nutrient point of view organic is always the best choice, but it also may cost a little more at the checkout!

The experiment took place in the office of Thinking BIG, www.thinkingbig.net, in downtown Charlottetown on a Friday afternoon. Three staff members volunteered to be my test subjects and produce taste testers.  The morning of the experiment I purchased organic and non organic celery and baby carrots at the grocery store. Note of interest, the organic carrots cost 30 cents more and the celery 49 cents. I washed the vegetables and put them into matching containers labeled A and B. Then I asked 3 of the staff members:

1. Which one tastes better?

2.  Which one is organic?

The results of the taste test were somewhat surprising, at least for the carrots. While observing the baby carrots, the testers noticed one seemed cleaner and crisper than the other. The testers considered those to be the non organic ones based on appearance and taste. On the contrary, they were the organic ones.

With the celery, the testers guessed the organic one each time, and all but 1 agreed that it also tasted better.  All testers notice that the celery looked alike, but the organic one tasted crisper and fresher. Because celery contains a lot of water, the testers noted that they could almost taste a bitter or sour taste in the non organic one.

When it comes down to it, the organic celery was the best choice, and the results for the carrots favored the non organic. As a Holistic Nutritionist I support and encourage my clients to buy as much organic produce as possible. According to leading health professionals the most important produce to buy organically include: potatoes, string beans, strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, celery, apples and apricots.

Next time your grocery shopping please consider making the organic choice. Or better yet, shop at your local farmers market and keep your produce dollars local. Not only does this help keep money in your local economy, but it decreases carbon emissions on the environment by cutting out the shipping costs.  Become a more conscious consumer, and remember to eat your veggies!