Researchers have done tests with subjects being blindfolded and given food to taste. It was noted by the subjects by not being able to first see the food they were about to eat, it made it less appetizing, and even, less tasty. Therefore, the appearance of food is just as important as taste, smell and texture.
One thing most people probably never think about is the color of their food. It probably does not even cross most consumers’ minds they rarely eat anything that is naturally blue. The color blue is actually an appetite suppressant. There could be many reasons for this. First, blue does not occur that much in nature. If we were to really dig down deep and get uber-scientific about this, it actually has something to do with the way the human eye sees the color blue. Another reason: since blue does not occur that much in nature, it leaves few choices of edible things that are blue. The blueberries and some rare blue-ish potatoes as two of the very few naturally blue food sources. Another thing, our ancestors tended to stay away from anything blue because apparently it was a color that could mean poison.
How delicious does this look?
Therefore, humans, especially in the modern era, tend to stick to shades of reds, browns yellows, and oranges for anything palatable. Those are the colors that stir the appetite, subconsciously making the person think of warm, rich sauces and hearty meat. Many restaurants have taken note of this fact and decorated their venues accordingly. Lots of times restaurants have red or deep golden walls, which stimulates the hypothalamus that it is time to eat. When the food arrives warm and golden brown, our appetite really kicks in, and we are able to enjoy our food.
It is important to stress, however, that blueberries and other berries rich in vitamins are a healthy part of a balanced diet. Cupcakes with blue icing aside, there are some health benefits that cannot be ignored. Blueberries, blackberries and other natural foods that are dark in color are very important to most people’s health. Berries are especially important for antioxidants and immune system health.
When companies market food for public consumption, the pretty packaging is not entirely about catching the eye of the consumer. The psychology actually goes deeper. The marketing gurus know about color psychology as well, and they use it to their full advantage. Not only do they use bright reds and yellows on product packaging to grab buyers’ attention, but the colors are also used to whet their appetites, leading to subconscious thoughts of the tastiness of the food within.
The next time you go to the grocery store or a dining establishment, take note of the decor, and of the presentation of the food. You will find in the grocery store many food products in red containers. Blue is used for print and the designs on the packaging more often than the container itself. When you go to a restaurant again, notice the color of the walls and menus, and observe the plate presentation. You might be very surprised what suddenly stands out, as far as what people eat, and how it is served to make it more appetizing.
