The Real Reason Oranges Come in a Red Mesh Bag

The grocery store has as many mysteries as it does products. The enduring conundrum of why hot dogs are sold in packages of 10 while buns come in packages of eight continues to haunt me. And I only recently learned why English cucumbers come wrapped in plastic.

My current query: What's the logic behind keeping citrus in mesh bags? More specifically, why do oranges come in a red mesh bag, and limes in a green bag? Wouldn’t it be easier—and cheaper—to sell everything in the same color bag? 

I set out to find an answer; turns out the red mesh back is a visual trick. 

Why Oranges Are Sold in Red Mesh Bags

There's a phenomenon called the confetti illusion, which says that objects will take on the color of any pattern that’s placed on top of them. Since vibrant orange indicates that an orange is ripe, produce distributors pack this fruit in red mesh bags to make the color really pop.

In other words, oranges in a red bag genuinely look more orange. The same phenomenon is used for other warm-hued citrus fruits, like grapefruits and tangerines.

The scientist who discovered this phenomenon is Karl Gegenfurtner, a perception psychologist at Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany. “Looking around in typical supermarkets,” he wrote in a study, “it is easy to see that fruits and vegetables (e.g., lemons, onions, zucchini, or even potatoes) are typically packaged in nets that are of the color of perfect exemplars.”

If, like Gegenfurtner, you've noticed that lemons and limes tend to come in yellow and green mesh bags, this is also the confetti illusion at play.

The Supermarket Is Full of Visual Tricks

The mesh bags are only one way grocery stores arrange and maintain produce to appeal to customers. Ever wondered about the mist that soaks lettuce and other leafy greens? The mist is activated at regular intervals to keep everything looking fresh and dew-kissed.

It also makes sure that the produce retains its moisture. This is important if you’re purchasing items by weight as opposed to quantity—if produce becomes dry and loses moisture, then it weighs less, and you pay less.

Understanding how grocery stores work will help you be a more informed shopper, someone who knows to look closely at fruits and vegetables to find truly fresh, ripe options. Orange you glad you have this info?