Why Are Oranges Wrapped In Red Nets? Social Media User Reveals Science Behind The Trick

Fruits play a crucial role in maintaining our diet and oranges offer numerous health benefits. But have you ever wondered why this fruit item is often wrapped in red net bags? This isn’t just about packaging, it’s actually a clever marketing trick used by sellers worldwide. The red net creates an optical illusion, making the oranges look brighter. This trick is not unique, as lemons are also sometimes sold in yellow or green bags to enhance their appearance. Recently, an X user revealed the science behind this trick, known as the Munker White illusion. This effect causes the colour of the bag to make the fruit appear fresher.

Sharing the video, the user wrote, “WHY ORANGES ARE PACKED IN RED NETS – an insane marketing trick. PS: there’s absolutely no trickery involved in the editing whatsoever. The oranges are actually the same colour and it’s the way the striped grid is arranged on top of them that makes all the difference.”

Explaining the reason behind using red nets, he said, “Now, we don’t really see colours with our eyes as much as we see them with our brains. The same colour can appear differently under various lights and surroundings colours. This is called ‘Colour Constancy.’ This phenomenon was first discovered by the German scientist, Wilhelm Von Bezold. He found out that the colours we see are understood by our brains in relation to their surroundings. Now this becomes even more interesting when different colours interact with each other.”

The effect is known as the Munker-White illusion, which happens when the colour of the packaging affects how we see the colour of the fruit inside. For example, red net bags make oranges appear more vibrant and orange than they actually are. This bright colour can trick us into thinking the oranges are fresher.

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “Wonder whoever in retail thought to implement this.”

Another shared, “I got lemons in red nets.”

One more jokingly added, “That’s nets.”

Since the user shared the video on X, it has garnered over 57,000 views on the platform.

According to Live Science, scientists have different ideas about how the brain creates this colour illusion. Some believe the change in perception starts right when light reaches the retina, while others think the effect happens later, when the brain processes the information. It is also possible that both processes work together to create the illusion.