Why Are Oranges Sold in Red Nets? A Trick to Make Them Look More Appealing

Have you ever wondered why oranges, mandarins, and other citrus fruits are often sold in red or orange nets? It's not just a matter of convenience or packaging — it's actually a clever psychological trick designed to make the fruit look more attractive to shoppers.

The reason for this packaging choice is surprisingly simple. The red netting creates an optical illusion that makes the fruit appear brighter, more vibrant, and more ripe than it may actually be. This effect is so effective that it's become a widespread practice in supermarkets worldwide.

The Science Behind the Red Net Trick

Psychologist Karl R. Gegenfurtner from the University of Giessen in Germany was intrigued by this phenomenon. His curiosity was sparked when he noticed that the oranges he purchased at a store appeared much less vibrant when he brought them home and removed them from the net. What looked like a perfectly ripe and juicy orange in the store turned out to have a greenish hue that suggested it was not yet fully ripe.

Dr. Gegenfurtner's research explored how this visual trick works. He found that the red netting creates what is known as the "confetti illusion." This optical illusion occurs when our brains perceive a color differently based on the colors surrounding it. For example, if a green object is viewed through a dense yellow grid, the brain blends the colors, making the object appear more yellow than it actually is. In the same way, when oranges or mandarins are placed in red nets, the brain mixes the red of the net with the orange of the fruit, making it look more vibrant and appealing.

How the Brain Processes Colors

Our brains are programmed to process colors and peripheral vision in a way that simplifies what we see. This is essential for making sense of the complex visual information around us. When two colors are placed next to each other and frequently alternate, our visual system tends to merge them. In the case of oranges in red nets, the brain combines the colors and the fruit appears more uniformly orange, masking any green spots that might indicate unripeness.

This same trick is used with other fruits and vegetables as well. For instance, potatoes, red onions, purple onions, garlic, lemons, and limes are often sold in color-enhancing nets. Even apples, carrots, and zucchini can sometimes be found in stores packaged this way. The netting color is chosen specifically to enhance the perceived vibrancy of the produce — for example, red netting is often used for yellow or orange fruits, while purple or green nets may be used for different types of vegetables.

The Purpose Beyond Color

While the primary reason for using colored nets is to enhance the appearance of fruits and vegetables, there are some practical benefits as well. For example, nets allow the produce to breathe, reducing the chance of mold or spoilage that can occur with more airtight packaging. However, the main motivation behind this packaging choice is to make the produce look more appealing to the consumer's eye.

According to Dr. Gegenfurtner, our brains are wired to process visual information in ways that make objects appear more uniform and consistent. This is necessary to help us quickly understand what we're seeing, but it also makes us susceptible to visual tricks like the confetti illusion. When fruits are placed in color-enhancing nets, shoppers are more likely to perceive them as fresher and more appealing, leading to increased sales.