In this age where the fear of cancer is spilling over and tree-huggers are screaming foul over rapid deforestation, organic food is often touted as "the best way to go green".
We know NUS students are also keen on going green, and so HOOKED has decided to bite the bullet celery and sniff out where one can indulge in healthy organic food, without breaking the bank.
Firstly, why is organic food even worth eating? It is because they are grown naturally without fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. In addition, very little sugar is added, thus making them a healthy alternative to the oily and fattening food that we are used to consuming. Organic food lovers have also claimed that organic food tastes better and fresher because no fertilisers have been added.
We did an online search and found a recent proliferation of organic food outlets in Singapore.
In the west, there is Bunalun at Chip Bee Gardens, while the east has Kang Bao Lek Vegetarian Center in Tampines. To serve the hungry crowd in the centre of Singapore, we have The Health Corner at Cluny Court. All these food outlets show that there are places which sell organic food, and one only has to know where to look.
However, after going around to most of these places, HOOKED has concluded that the best place to go to for organic food is none other than...
Jason's Marketplace! Situated at the basement of Raffles City Shopping Centre, Jason's Market Place is undeniably an organic food haven. There is a wide range of organic food available, ranging from fruits and vegetables to cereals and snacks.
We could hardly contain our excitement at seeing this (Organic) Holy Grail!
We snooped around and discovered that organic fruits and vegetables are a tad costly. Two corn cobs cost S$11.50, and a packet of six tomatoes came up to the princely sum of S$12.
Indeed, there is a high price to pay for increased quality.
To our utter amusement, we found that Jason's has even stocked organic Skippy Peanut Butter (together with other organic bread spreads.) Though it has a similar packaging to the original peanut butter, this spread is exceptional because it has "25% less fat!" For all fat-conscious peanut butter loving people out there, such a special feature comes at a price of S$4.74!
However, is it really impossible to find an affordable organic food that tastes good? HOOKED decided to sample two special organic muesli bars, with Tracy buying a nut-filled muesli bar, while Shu May bought one with berries. Both bars cost S$1.73 each.
Here is a blow-by-blow account of our maiden organic food eating experience.
Tracy: The muesli bar was too cold and dry! At first, it did not really taste sweet enough, but the aftertaste was more palatable. It had a funny smell though. It was nutty enough, but reminded me too much of hamster food (not that we've tasted hamster food). Perhaps it would appeal more to those who are on a diet? As a non-diet person, I would rate it 2/5.
Shu May: Upon unwrapping it, I was struck by a sickly sweet smell. Unfortunately, this did not translate into physical sweetness, because the muesli bar was still too bland. I felt like I was eating flour, albeit only a small packet of it. However, for its soft, mashy texture, I would rate it 3/5.
When all is said and done, organic food is perhaps one that appeals only to a niche following. While it will still be some time yet before all of us turn, figuratively, into rabbits (vegetable-loving creatures), this is definitely a sector that will have its time in the sun soon.
So we dare you, Go Green (or die unhealthy), if you can afford it. HOOKED
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