Noted: Farmers say they?re growing some of the most flavorful produce in years. Part of the reason is the lack of rain: the more water content in produce like cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, peaches and grapes, the plumper and juicier they are. But the water also dilutes their flavor. Smaller, less juicy fruits and veggies this season are packing a more concentrated tastiness. ?Most plants that have high moisture content will now have sharper flavors, like peppers and tomatoes,? says Irwin Goldman, a horticulture professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where farmers have been feeling the heat. ?Whenever there is a drought, flavor compounds can become more dominant and foods can have more pungency.?
Office of Strategic Communication