Organic Fruits

When you walk into the grocery store, you may have a hard time choosing which type of fruit you should purchase. Should you choose, for example, the conventionally grown apple or the organic alternative? Is there really a difference? With more people showing concern in what they eat, the demand for healthy fruit such as organic fruits has increased substantially over the years. Here are few facts that might be of use to you while you shop.

The term organic refers to fruits that were produced and processed using techniques which are eco-friendly. This means that no pesticides or artificial fertilizers were used to produce such organic fruits. Organic farming methods are known to be more expensive than conventional farming techniques. However, they are much better for the environment. Not only do they reduce pollution, they also help conserve water and soil resources which in turn can be used by future generations.

You may be wondering how you would be able to tell whether the fruits at your local grocery store are organic or not. The best way would be to check the label. Fruits and vegetables which are produced and processed according to the USDA standards often have a label indicating that they are 100% organic. You may find some fruit products such as juices having labels which indicate that they are organic. This means that they contain at least 95% organic ingredients. You should note that it is not a requirement for organic fruits and other produce to bear the USDA certification. However, the must conform to the processing and produce standards as indicated by the USDA. As such, most of the products in the market today bear such labels to distinguish them from other conventionally grown produce.

At this point, it must be noted that the terms "natural" and "organic" do not mean the same thing. While some fruits and vegetables may be labeled as "all-natural", this does not mean that they are organic. The two terms are not inter-changeable. Only produce that meets the USDA standards can be labeled organic.

As stated above organic fruits and vegetables are more expensive to grow than the conventionally grown alternatives. Many question the difference in cost and ask questions as to the exact benefits of eating organic over the alternative. While studies are currently underway on the exact benefits to be gained from eating organic fruits, it has been found that most conventionally grown fruits have some trace amounts of pesticides on them. Organic fruits do not have any pesticides in them whatsoever. Consumption of pesticides cannot be beneficial to you in any way. With organic fruits, you won't need to have such concerns as to the safety of your produce. Still, it is always better to take precautions. After purchase, be sure to wash all fruits thoroughly