There’s a reason fruit and vegetables are often sold in nets – and it’s all to do with the ‘confetti illusion’
If you’ve ever rummaged through a crate of oranges at your local supermarket for the juiciest, most vibrant-looking one, only to find them looking rather dull when you get home, you’re not alone.
It turns out there’s a reason behind this, and it’s all to do with the net they’re sold in. Posting to TikTok earlier this year, Scientific American explained: “Ever wonder why fruits and vegetables come in bags that look like this? It’s got to do with something called ’the confetti illusion’.”
According to the Journal of Illusion, the confetti illusion affects how we see colour. “The confetti illusion is made up of foreground stripes of multiple colours and presents multiple apparent colours,” they explained.
This effect on netted fruits was first uncovered by Karl Gegenfurtner, a German perception psychologist. In research published in Sage Journals earlier this year, Gegenfurtner explained: “Our research introduces a novel aspect by showing how unripe and greenish-looking oranges can be perceived as ripe and vibrantly coloured when viewed through an orange net.”
The colour of the net also plays an important role, with Gegenfurtner clarifying that the super vibrant appearance is a result of both the confetti effect and colour bouncing off the netting onto the fruit. He added: “The effect is certainly partly due and strengthened by interreflections between the net and the fruit.”
The netting isn’t just for show, however, as it also allows the fruit and veg space to ‘breathe’. But with the potential false illusion of ripeness in mind, you may need to find a different way to decide which bag of fruit to buy.
For example, a more reliable way of telling whether or not a fruit is ripe is to buy the ones that aren’t placed in any netting. Look out for irregularities in texture, appearance or smell. Citrus fruits, as well as apples and pomegranates, are also said to be heavier when ripe, so look out for fruits that feel a little weightier than you’d expect.
If you want ideas and inspiration to plan your next UK adventure plus selected offers and competitions, sign up for our 2Chill weekly newsletter here
