[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Susi

Mynydd, I want oranges now!

But the last one I bought was too sour again..

This happens when the traders pick up the oranges before they have reached the right level of matureness because there is high demand in the market.

The citric does not lose its antioxidant or hemostatic properties (or nutritive for that matter), but it does have an effect in the organoleptic characteristics. For one thing, the sugar has not yet fully metabolized as it needs exposure to certain cold temperatures to do so, while steel in the tree.

Unfortunately, the preferences in the demand are set by the interestes of the market traders, instead of by the final consumer. Thus, the markets value external presentation over real quality. A change of directions in the trends here would even reduce dramatically the chemicals used during its growing phases. Most of the times, these are only used against plagues which only affect the skin, producing small but still visible stains on them, like the Californian red lice.

But yes, the real thing is way better than synthetic one.

Did you know that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) plus sodium benzoate (preservative) can cause a reaction that makes benzene.. which is incredibly poisonous. I assume there are some preservatives or something in the vitamin pill, perhaps of the benzoate family..

Which means, woot, benzene poisoning for everyone, that takes up to 30 years to become apparent! WOO!

The chemical products used in some countries are much restricted by legislation, and controls are effected. This makes the costs for the producer much higher, as the safe products are much more expensive.

The problem comes when the market is opened to (in the case of the EU) third countries like Morocco, Egypt or Turkey, where such practices are not followed. Their production is of lower quality and it has these risks, but it is much cheaper because not only the reduced costs in production for cheaper labour but also for the use of uncontrolled and cheaper chemicals.

An ongoing project with citrics in this area is the obtention of bioethanol from citrics. A fuel produced with 85% of ethanol and 15% of petrol would reduce pollution by 80%, without losses of power in the vehicles.