Homegrown Fruits Taste Better Than In GS

Avondale-based firm, Basciani Foods Inc. is a wholesaler that sells fresh mushrooms, vegetables, and fruits. Basciani Foods Inc. is a full-service mushroom conglomerate that grows, packs and ships natural and fresh mushrooms.

It’s no mystery that homegrown vegetables are healthier and more natural than vegetables found at the grocery store. Homegrown vegetables have a better flavor and taste because groceries sell products that are made to resist more since they are shipped and have to stay on shelves before they are actually bought. Fruits and vegetables can get some of the characteristics of other plants if they’re part of the same family and through controlled hybridization, the products are made to last longer and seem fresher on shelves, but the same process can sacrifice a fruit’s taste and nutrition.

Because vegetables and fruits that are found at groceries travel a long distance, they cannot be harvested at their peak and are ripened artificially. Also, homegrown fruits and vegetables taste better because upon harvest the sugar turns into starch, and homegrown vegetables have a shorter trip from harvest to the plate. A study from Purdue University showcases that corn loses up to 50 percent of sugar in 12 hours after being harvested.

Shiitake - A Health-Beneficial Fungi

With family farming roots extending nearly a century, Basciani Foods is known as a leading grower, packer, and supplier of farm-fresh mushrooms and other premium produce. Among the varieties grown by Basciani Foods in Avondale, Pennsylvania, are shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes), which are originally from Japan.

A forest fungi that grows naturally on hardwood logs as they decay, shiitake have a dark brown to tan color and an umbrella-shaped cap. They impart a rich, savory flavor that enhances numerous dishes, including soups, pastas, and rice pairings. In traditional Japanese culture, shiitake are said to impart umami, an “extra” taste component that adds complexity to flavor.

At the same time, shiitake are low in calories, while offering several nutritional benefits. They are high in B vitamins and fiber, and have many of the amino acids contained in meat. Other active elements include terpenoids, lipids, and sterols, which have been studied for potential effects against cancer and in lowering cholesterol. In addition, the polysaccharides found in shiitake are associated with a strengthened immune system and lower inflammation levels.