16 Comments
User's avatar
Ariel Patton's avatar

“The leafy version of ramen” 😂

Amazing piece, Rhishi! I learned a lot!

Rhishi Pethe's avatar

Thanks, Ariel! It was a fun one to learn about, and I was helped by some of our industry friends.

Colleen Smith, MD's avatar

Fascinating!

Rhishi Pethe's avatar

Thanks, Colleen!

Than Hartsock's avatar

Great article! Food Science is an amazing field. As a (self-proclaimed) packaged salad connoisseur, I highly recommend Target's Thai-Style Chili Manage Chopped Salad Kit.

Rhishi Pethe's avatar

I haven't tried that salad yet. I normally like the Southwestern-style salads with all their fixings and dressing from Costco or Trader Joe's. Thanks for your kind words!

Ephie's avatar

Another great piece, Rhishi. I’m glad I found your work through @Hollis Robbins . You’re giving the intersection of agriculture, tech, genetics, and logistics the attention it deserves.

Rhishi Pethe's avatar

Thanks, Ephie for your support! This intersection is so interesting and hopefully we can tell many more stories at that intersection..

Grant Mulligan's avatar

I want to buy a bagged salad today just to retell this essay at the dinner table.

Rhishi Pethe's avatar

What kind do you normally get? Do you also get the one with toppings and dressing with it?

Grant Mulligan's avatar

Taylor Farms Green Goddess is my go to. But can’t go wrong with a simple, or as I learned from your piece not so simple, bag of mixed greens.

Hollis Robbins's avatar

This is so excellent. I've sent it to family members across the country...

Rhishi Pethe's avatar

Thank you, Hollis! I hope your family members like it, too!

Clayton Mooney's avatar

Great piece! Do you find it sad that food is optimized for shelf life instead of flavor and nutrition?

99% of people haven't tasted food with full flavor and nutrition; most produce has lost 1/2 its flavor and nutrition at the 3 day post harvest mark.

Rhishi Pethe's avatar

Is this true? Is there any data that shows produce has lost its flavor and nutrition? I would love to see that data.

Clayton Mooney's avatar

Yes. Once harvested, flavor is lost because it's burning its own sugar. Nutrition is lost because vitamins are sensitive to air and light. UC Davis has some of the best research and data out there. This article has most of the links and further details. https://www.loseit.com/articles/how-do-fruits-and-vegetables-lose-their-nutrients-after-picking/

PS this is why my company (Clayton Farms) grows greens onsite. People deserve better, and our customers are now addicted to our healthy fast food.