We've been running random food trials at home. Highly scientific of course: two chickens, one organic, one not (both free range). I can't tell the difference, especially after a few wines. Same with veges and coffee. But really, is there a differene in taste? I think not. What do you think?
Isn't there a study somewhere saying that perception and prejudice influences taste? Something about believing that the wine served in a fancy glass is yummier and therefore more expensive compared to one served in a normal-looking one—when in fact they are both from the same bottle.
Written in July 2009
That's a good reason to do things like take the time to take your dinner out the cooking pot and into a serving dish. And also to sit at a table (no, not a desk) with that glass of wine when eating. There's a really interesting chapter in Michael Pollen's book In Defense of Food about all this ... a good dining experience leaves you feeling more satisfied and less likely to overeat, among other things.
Written in July 2009
Depends on how you define "better" and "organic". If the chicken is completely free-range you'd find it had less white meat and many people don't like this.
You also have to remember that some non-organic foods have additives that specifically stimulate your tastebuds and make you crave more, so organic foods may well not have the same punch.
Add on to that the aforementioned subjective affect and it's difficult to figure out what's "better".
Sarah makes a good point - if you use good ingredients, take your time over preparation and eat the food properly you're bound to find the taste better!
Written in July 2009
And all that is before we even consider the nutritional value of our food. The first place to start improving the quality of what we eat is in the soil. Good mineral-dense foods satisfy us sooner so we eat less. I wonder if the taste is perceptable in minerally balanced produce? Often in their efforts to avoid the use of chemical fertilisers organic producers actually make backward steps in terms of the available nutrients for their plants to use and grow. Not that I don't think we should strive for more sustainable forms of production though...
Written in July 2009
I am not sure whether this should be the question but I am sure the question should be 'What does organic food not give you?' and the answer is likely to be Cancer etc.
The environmental impact of sprays, GE, and GM will only be known when research is allowed to be carried out and not funded by large multi-National chemical producers.
Written in August 2009
I agree wholeheartedly. I believe we are being swindled out of our health, environment and economic opportunities by short-sighted profiteers and misguided ideas based on science that observes elements in isolation rather than interrelated systems... Example- one tonne of urea dumped on the soil 'burns out' 30 to 40T of humus, releasing 100+ tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. (Anderson ?).
I think we need to think more of foods that are truly nutritious, produced sustainably and utilise organic principles rather than strictly adhering do dogma... Food with 'Integrity'.
Written in August 2009
Nope. Organic is not tastier in my opinion. I grow all my own veg and have chooks but I don't claim to be completely organic (I lost that status last year with a vicious shield beetle infestation that threatened to suck the life out of almost everything until they inhaled carbaryl). I do think that my veges taste better than what you buy at the supermarket. Maybe its a question of fresh versus stored, shipped and shrink wrapped. Fresh veges eaten in season can't be beaten, and nor can free range eggs.
Written in August 2009
I can't taste the difference between organic foods and foods processed in a less sustainable way. But I don't care. For me it's about my conscience and knowing that the food I eat has been sustainably grown and harvested.
I agree with Sheryl that food selected for taste rather than looks, grown in season, sun-ripened and eaten fresh is always going to taste best! Then with the additional knowledge that it is grown organically and contains no nasty pesticides, I'm a happy chomper!
Written in August 2009
I think working towards a private organic garden is a brilliant move for the planet. A wonderful goal but sit can take a number of growing seasons to work out how to do it. Pests will hang around if they have a reason to, and those reasons can be poor airflow around the plants and too much water on the foliage. This year I'm going to stick to roots only watering. I'll put in some dripper systems and will follow my uncle's lead (he's the tomato champ in our family) and bury either cut off tubes from spouting or old drink bottles so I can water directly to the roots. I'll bet my veges will taste even better this year, and (fingers crossed) I won't have to get the carbaryl out.
Written in August 2009
Interesting as taste could only be distinguished by the same person eating some of both chickens and then of exactly the same part. aside from that, one would have to cook them both separately and in exactly the same way. Adding to that it would probably be difficult to do it in a totally scientific way - too hard basket.
So what remains is "opinion" which, although a market driver, is a very emotional and culturally dependent concept.
All this leads me to say that if you think organic tastes better it probably does - to your taste buds.
But which one do you put into your mouth first? And will that influence the responsiveness of your sense of taste? Opinion definitely rests on personal preferences as well as exposure to other people's opinions, peer pressure, research, viewpoint etc...
randonly speaking I think organic chicken is better for reasons as it seems production is more close to a natural sort of growth process and therefore could claim a less severe impact on the environment - which all in all makes me feel better. Of course there is the price issue...
In closing I think NO chicken is best based on T.Colin Campbell's research findings, published in an easy to read format in his bestseller "the china Study" where he provides substantial material supporting plant-based nutrition as the one which heals human degenerative disease states rather than promotes them as animal-based foods do.
In any case, enjoy your chicken while you can :) I personally prefer (based on my personal opinion, observation and research supported and inspired by the research and opinions of heavy hitting scientists) to eat plants myself rather than feed them to animals and then having to eat the animals. Feeding them for human consumption really is a total waste of (global) energy resources and agricultural space.
Cheers Vincent, great topic :)
Written in August 2009
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