As you may or may not be aware, organic produce is increasing in popularity on a near daily basis. In the US alone, it is estimated that as many as 82.3% of all households purchase organic produce in some form or another. This is on top of non-organic produce too, although more and more households are now pledging to go 100% organic. Organic produce is generally much healthier for you, as well as being better for the environment and tastier. There are, however, a number of myths and misconceptions associated with organic produce, which we’re going to attempt to clear up once and for all. Here’s a look at several top myths and misconceptions associated with organic produce.
All organic produce is expensive
One of the most common reasons why people fail to stock up on organic produce is due to the misconception that all organic produce is super-expensive and is therefore only suitable for the very wealthy. In truth, organic produce is affordable and isn’t that much more expensive than regular GMO produce. Yes, you pay a little more, but the differences in price are not very extreme at all.
Free-range is just as good as organic
Okay, first and foremost, free-range produce is healthy, and it does mean that the animals in question are kept in much better conditions. Free-range eggs for example, are head and shoulders above eggs from caged hens in terms of health, nutrition, taste, and treatment of the animals. Free-range however, is not as good as organic. Organic is generally considered the best of the best in terms of taste, nutrition, and quality of life and treatment, so just consider that when doing you weekly grocery shop.
Organic produce is free from pesticides
Okay, this next one will come as a shock to some of you, but in truth, organic produce does in fact use certain pesticides. Before your minds are blown too much, it is worth noting that the pesticides that are used are natural themselves, rather than being made from artificial chemicals. Mother Nature herself has a way of proving natural pesticides. Take the Camellia Sinensis plant for example, AKA the tea plant. In the leaves, you will find caffeine. To us, it is a stimulant, but to insects it is a pesticide designed to help the plant protect itself from being eaten. Pesticides used in organic farming have to meet strict and stringent standards before they can be classed as organic.
Organic food doesn’t taste any nicer
This is another very common myth that is generally completely untrue. Imagine a carrot that has been genetically modified, grown in soil saturated with lab-made chemicals and fertilizers, before being sprayed with chemical pesticides. Imagine how bitter it would taste. It would be like spraying a carrot with bug spray before eating it. When manufacturers recommend washing your veg, it isn’t to wash dirt away, it’s to wash all of the chemicals away. Now, imagine a carrot grown in fresh soil, non-GMO, and not grown in chemical fertilizers and sprayed with chemical pesticides. Imagine how much sweeter it would taste. Organic produce tastes far better because it actually tastes how it is supposed to, with the added bonus of being much better for you.
