Chapter 1
Decoding the grocery store layout and pricing psychology
Chapter 2
Master of the produce aisle
Chapter 3
Smart shopping beyond the grocery aisles
Ch 2 · Master of the produce aisle
renaissanceman Certain fruits release a natural gas that speeds up the ripening—and spoiling—of nearby produce.
Quiz
Which of these fruits releases high amounts of ethylene gas, causing nearby produce to ripen faster?
Quiz
What is a negative side effect of the water misters used in supermarket produce sections?
Quiz
What does a four-digit PLU code starting with 3 or 4 mean on a produce sticker?
renaissanceman Master of the Produce Aisle
Start with a nine! Start with a nine! That five-digit code is organic every time.
Quiz
Why do supermarkets spray water on leafy greens if it makes them spoil faster?
Fun Fact
Banana ripening hack: Wrapping banana stems in plastic wrap traps ethylene gas, slowing down the ripening process.
Quiz
Which of these vegetables is highly sensitive to ethylene gas and should not be stored with apples?
Quiz
What does a five-digit PLU code starting with the number 9 indicate on a piece of fruit?
Glossary
ethylene (noun)
A colorless, flammable gaseous hydrocarbon that occurs naturally in plants and functions as a hormone to promote ripening. Placing unripe avocados in paper bags with bananas accelerates ripening through concentrated exposure to this gas.
A colorless, flammable gaseous hydrocarbon that occurs naturally in plants and functions as a hormone to promote ripening. Placing unripe avocados in paper bags with bananas accelerates ripening through concentrated exposure to this gas.