QUESTION:
Does sight/presentation affect the way things taste?
ANSWER:
Some would say that taste is much more than experiencing something with your taste buds. In actuality the majority of taste is performed by your nose. Ever had a stopped up nose and everything tasted bland? There you go. I am no expert and please do your own research, but I have found that if something looks good and is presented well one is more open to "enjoy" it. For instance if I put cream of wheat in a white bowl, with it dripping down the side and clumped to your spoon, your mind automatically thinks, "Gee Dude, thanks for the Medieval Gruel". But if I present it in a dark burgundy bowl, with slices of banana on top, a sprinkle of chopped walnuts and a small pitcher of cream on the side, you might be a bit more intrigued. There is the rub. Taste is in a large part psychological.
Ever notice how organic or vegetarian frozen meals are in a green package? Green equates with healthy. Ever notice how on a Chinese take out menu, they put the spicy dishes in red? Red equates with heat. I could go on and on. I learned in culinary school that eating should be an event. Restaurants are decorated to enhance your experience, music is chosen to set the atmosphere, and menus are written to entice your mind. For instance, which sounds better? "Chopped Sirloin Steak on a toasted Kaiser roll with sharp cheddar cheese and apple wood smoked bacon, served with deep fried Idaho potatoes" or "Bacon Cheese Burger and fries"? You be the judge.
So in my opinion...yes sight and presentation can affect the ways things taste. Not necessarily all the time...but it helps.
Good question...
Thanks, hope this helps.
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