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June 9, 2009: Veggie Factory
Japan is a small country with limited tillable land, four seasons, and a voracious appetite... they once tried to eat Asia. 
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In a perfectly controlled and totally sterile environment - uncontaminated by dirt, insects or fresh air - Japanese scientists are developing a new way of growing vegetables. Called plant factories, these anonymous looking warehouses have sprung up across the country and can churn out immaculate looking lettuces and green leaves 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Every part of the plant's environment is controlled - from the lighting and temperature, to the humidity and water. Even the levels of carbon dioxide can be minutely altered. |
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The vegetables from plant factories - which include green leaf, romaine lettuce and garland chrysanthemum - are sold at a premium to Japanese shoppers. No pesticides are used - and there is no risk of contamination with food poisoning bugs. Because the plants are grown in a clean room, they can be eaten safely without washing. Lettuce grown in the factories can be cropped up to 20 times a year.Some factories are vast - and can produce three million vegetables a year. The results are hygienic, but it's about as far from real food as you can possibly get. |
But I wonder about the taste though, because veggies taste different when they are grown in different locations, depending on the soil.
Either they'll make them all taste alike (ala McDonalds), or maybe different factories will compete to develop signature flavors?
link
TheMercenary Tuesday Jun 9 12:48 AM
Sounds like a fantastic business venture that could only work in a place where apples are like $3 a piece.
ZenGum Tuesday Jun 9 12:57 AM
*Most* food in Japan is about the same price as in Australia (I've never been shopping in the US and am too lazy to look it up). It is only specific "boutique" items with cultural significance that are insanely overpriced.
That factory is either the way of the future, or a dystopian nightmare, depending on how they run it. I hate to think about their energy bills, though. I hope they have solar panels on the roof.
Aliantha Tuesday Jun 9 01:13 AM
It's really just mass hydroponics isn't it? That's been around for ages and working well. Plenty of people grow all sorts of veges that way and they don't taste the same. You could argue that the plant would simply have it's 'true' flavour even I suppose.
xoxoxoBruce Tuesday Jun 9 01:15 AM
They've taken hydroponics to the next level with a completely controlled environment.
Aliantha Tuesday Jun 9 01:28 AM
Yeah, I got that, but it's still hydro.
I've heard that people who grow their pot plants in a controlled environment can come up with an exceptional crop.
spudcon Tuesday Jun 9 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Aliantha
Yeah, I got that, but it's still hydro.
I've heard that people who grow their pot plants in a controlled environment can come up with an exceptional crop. |
monster Tuesday Jun 9 08:44 AM
...and for once I don't feel so inspired to eat the iotd. Needs meat.
dacliff Tuesday Jun 9 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by monster
...and for once I don't feel so inspired to eat the iotd. Needs meat.
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Sheldonrs Tuesday Jun 9 09:52 AM
When I read the title I was expecting a story about any school in New Jersey.
monster Tuesday Jun 9 10:04 AM
You'd think they'd dress the workers in a different color for safety reasons. I wonder how many have gone in to harvest the plants and never returned? Or perhaps they're dressed in green so we won't notice when they end up in our garden salad?
Trilby Tuesday Jun 9 12:08 PM
This snotty witch I'm reading who wrote FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAT would have a HUUUUUUGE problem with this. She's a snobby bitty thing who wears scarves and sunglasses all year round and buys her fruit from magic elves in Provence.
Sundae Tuesday Jun 9 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Aliantha
I've heard that people who grow their pot plants in a controlled environment can come up with an exceptional crop.
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SteveDallas Tuesday Jun 9 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Brianna
This snotty witch I'm reading who wrote FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAT would have a HUUUUUUGE problem with this. She's a snobby bitty thing who wears scarves and sunglasses all year round and buys her fruit from magic elves in Provence.
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glatt Tuesday Jun 9 01:03 PM
One third of French women are overweight.
cite
Sheldonrs Tuesday Jun 9 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by glatt
One third of French women are overweight.
cite |
classicman Tuesday Jun 9 01:37 PM
three thirds of french women are bitches
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dar512 Tuesday Jun 9 02:00 PM
That was classic, Classic.
Pie Tuesday Jun 9 02:07 PM
woah -- you've discovered The Wikipedia Method! 
classicman Tuesday Jun 9 02:15 PM
Aliantha Tuesday Jun 9 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by spudcon
"I've heard" ?
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Originally Posted by Sundae Girl
Apparently most of the pot sold in Amsterdam is now grown hydroponically. Pot plants no longer pot plants as it were.
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sullage Tuesday Jun 9 08:38 PM
How dangerous is clean room grown food? I believe, though I have no sources, that exposure builds resistance. Keep your kid inside all the time and he/she ends up with ragweed allergies. Always drink pure water and you'll get the runs when visiting Indonesia. Never tramp around the forest and poison oak will make you break out at the slightest exposure.
I think of it as calluses for your immune system. Ever dug post holes without calluses? It sucks the next day.
Gravdigr Tuesday Jun 9 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Aliantha
It's really just mass hydroponics isn't it?
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manu Wednesday Jun 10 03:18 AM
Hydroponics
In Singapore huge similar clean hydroponic farms have been set up.
Salads are indeed super clean, never seen a snail or even ground 
The taste has nothing strange, as far as I noticed. Jus tasteless 
and BTW, about french women: 
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in666429.shtml
ZenGum Wednesday Jun 10 03:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Sheldonrs
top, middle or bottom?
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Gravdigr Wednesday Jun 10 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Sheldonrs
top, middle or bottom?
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Originally Posted by ZenGum
The standard greeting at Sheldon's parties.
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