Have you ever wondered why oranges are often sold in red net bags? It turns out this is more than just packaging—it’s a clever marketing trick used around the world. The red net bag creates an optical illusion that makes the oranges look fresher and more vibrant. This trick is based on something called the Munker-White illusion.
What Is the Munker-White Illusion?
The Munker-White illusion is a visual effect where the color of the bag makes the fruit inside appear more colorful. For instance, when oranges are wrapped in a red net bag, the fruit seems to have a brighter, more intense orange color than it really does. This illusion tricks us into thinking the oranges are fresher.
This isn’t just a gimmick for oranges. Similar techniques are used for other fruits too. For example, lemons might be sold in yellow or green bags to make them look more appealing.
The Science Behind It
When we see colors, our brains don’t just perceive them as they are. Instead, we see colors in relation to their surroundings. This is called color constancy. A German scientist named Wilhelm Von Bezold first discovered this idea. It means that the same color can look different depending on what other colors or lights are around it.
In the case of the red net bags, the red color of the net affects how we see the oranges. Red nets make the oranges look more vibrant, which can trick us into thinking the oranges are of better quality.
What People Are Saying
On X (formerly Twitter), a user shared a video explaining this trick and 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 color and it’s
the way the striped grid is arranged on top of them that makes all the difference.”
Have look at the video:
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. pic.twitter.com/dM82TWDVg8
— Floyd (@floydiancookery) July 22, 2024
Have a look at how some people reacted:
– One person asked, “Wonder who in retail thought to implement this!”
Wonder whoever in retail thought to implement this!
— Vik (@vebe101) July 22, 2024
– Another said, “I got lemons in red nets.”
I got lemons in red nets 😕
— K (@Regressssss) July 22, 2024
– A third person joked, “That’s nets!”
That’s nets!
— RDKonnect (@LittleSoundsIn) July 22, 2024
The video has already been viewed over 57,000 times on X.
How the Illusion Works
Scientists have different theories about how this color illusion happens. Some believe it starts when light hits our eyes, while others think it occurs later in the brain’s processing. It might even be a combination of both processes that creates the illusion.
So next time you see oranges in a red net bag, you’ll know it’s not just about packaging—it’s a smart marketing strategy to make the fruit look fresher!
