the look and taste of a thing

While I am out working in the field I am always listening to my ipod. (other mp3 players are available). The other day I was listening to the alternative kitchen garden podcast. There was a commentry about heritage vegetables. Heritage vegetables are vegetables that our fathers and grandfathers grew but are now becoming more scarce. On the podcast it was said that in the last few decades farmers have been asked to produce uniform, "good looking" vegetables where appearence was more important than taste. That made me think. The vegies I buy from my local supermarket do look nice, all the same size and colour. Compared to my home grown produce, supermarket vegies should be better, but just smell and taste the home grown ones and you'll find a world of difference. My folks grew tomatos commercially and the thing I remember is the smell. I'd bring a bucket of freshly picks tomatos up to the shop and all the customers would take a big breath and admire the distinctive smell. You knew from the smell that they'd taste good. And they did.
So if you have access to locally grown produce, or can get to a farmers market buy some fruit and veg, then go to the supermarket and get some of theirs. Once you are home try a taste test. You'll be amazed. Especially the strawberrys, ooh fresh strawberrys grown locally are fabulous. Locally grown food tastes and smells good. And hopefully you'll be persuaded to source your food locally or even grown your own.