State of Science :: TOC Funded Programs
"Do Organic Fruits and Vegetables Taste Better than Conventional Fruits and Vegetables?"
December 2006
Author(s): Dr. Richard C. Theuer
Raleigh, North Carolina
While limited studies have been published comparing the taste and organoleptic quality of organic and convetional foods, published studies show that:
- Organic produce is often judged tastier and more pleasing than conventional produce,
- No or modest differences are reported in some studies,
- Conventional produce is rarely found superior in terms of taste and sensory quality,
- Organic apples store better and are tastier than conventional apples, according to the results of studies carried out in several countries.
It is encouraging that taste is making a comeback across cultures and continents. For a deep perspective on why this is happening, see Paul Hawken's inspired lecture on taste delivered in at the meeting "Taste of Marin" in February 2007.
