Most supermarkets use various tricks to attract customers’ attention. One of them is the sale of tangerines in red nets, which subtly influence our perception of their quality. Don’t fall for the tricks of the shops and see how to buy oranges and other citrus fruits.

Winter is the season when we especially reach for tangerines, oranges and lemons. Juicy fruit full of vitamins supports immunity and provides energy during cold days. After all, is there anything more pleasant than the smell of a freshly peeled tangerine on a long winter evening? But before you throw a net full of fruit into your shopping cart, it’s worth looking at some of the tricks that manufacturers use to make their products more attractive.

Can you see the citrus in the colored nets? Do not buy such fruit in the store

Have you ever wondered why tangerines and oranges are so often wrapped in red nets? It’s not a coincidence. The distinctive color optically enhances the orange shade of the fruit, making it look riper and juicier. A similar effect is used for:

  • limes, which are packed in green nets,
  • lemons, packed in yellow nets.

Here we have an example of clever manipulation. Thanks to such a bag, the fruit looks fresh and attractive, although in reality its quality is very undesirable. This is all due to the “confetti illusion” described by many scientists.

The influence of red grids on color perception was analyzed, among others, by Professor Karl R. Gegenfurtner from the University of Giessen and the duo David Novick and Akiyoshi Kitaoka. Their work, published in 2021 in the Journal of Illusion, shows how much the environment shapes our perception of color. Supermarkets are well aware of these mechanisms and cleverly use them to make fruit look better. Therefore, when we go shopping, let’s remember that first impressions are sometimes deceptive.

How to buy oranges so as not to be deceived? Pay attention to these details

Choosing citrus fruits in the store is more than just reaching for the prettiest packaging.

  • It is worth paying attention to the weight of the fruit. Heavy means more juice and pulp.
  • The peel should be firm, without discoloration or dullness.
  • When choosing tangerines and oranges, it is best to go for free fruits.

Thanks to this, you can more accurately assess their quality before adding them to the shopping cart.

  • It is also advisable to avoid fruits with too soft skinwhich may mean that it is overripe or has started to spoil.

How should fruits and vegetables be arranged in the store? Tricks most chains use

Red nets are only the tip of the iceberg. Shops often use clever tricks, for example:

  • strategic placement of fruit in the most illuminated places,
  • mixing fresh products with less tasty ones.

A popular trick is to offer large packages at an attractive price, which forces us to buy more fruit than we actually need. Sometimes when you get home, you find that some of the fruit at the bottom of the package is rotten.

Add to a pot of potatoes and your stomach will thank you. You will forget about salt for good