June 9, 2009: Veggie Factory

[xoxoxoBruce]

Japan is a small country with limited tillable land, four seasons, and a voracious appetite... they once tried to eat Asia.

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.

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.

I'd take issue with that last statement... it's still real food, except the garland chrysanthemums) just cleaner.
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]

Sounds like a fantastic business venture that could only work in a place where apples are like $3 a piece.

[ZenGum]

*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]

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]

They've taken hydroponics to the next level with a completely controlled environment.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

It's really just mass hydroponics isn't it?

Mmmm...mass hydroponics.

[manu]

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

[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.

[spudcon]

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.

"I've heard" ?

[Sundae]

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.

Apparently most of the pot sold in Amsterdam is now grown hydroponically. Pot plants no longer pot plants as it were.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by spudcon

"I've heard" ?

Well I don't know for sure of course, but I did hear about it.

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.

Yes, that's what I've heard. lol

[sullage]

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.

[monster]

...and for once I don't feel so inspired to eat the iotd. Needs meat.

[dacliff]

Originally Posted by monster

...and for once I don't feel so inspired to eat the iotd. Needs meat.

What do you call that guy in the middle? Asparagus? We're all closet cannibals...

[Sheldonrs]

When I read the title I was expecting a story about any school in New Jersey.