Food for eyes - Plate & colour psychology in dining

Choosing a lighter color palate encourages a calm yet energetic ambiance, willing people to relax while staying awake. This works best for breakfasts and brunches with plenty of natural light! 

Whereas a darker palate creates a more intimate ambiance, which is cozier and can be more luxurious, fostering a sense of safety. This is usually preferred for dinners in a more dimly lit setting.

 WHAT IS PLATE PSYCHOLOGY?

Did you know that color and shape can impact our perception of food? The desirability of the food depends on its plating, making it look more or less appetizing. Once our senses perceive the dish as attractive, the consumption process begins from salivating to increased heart rate and more (basically, the tingling excitement before indulging in good food!)

Size can also influence the perception of fullness, for eg, using smaller dishes can make the portion size appear more in quantity, which can help one feel more satisfied with the meal while consuming less.

Other factors that play a significant role in the overall experience are lighting, background music, and menu naming! 

INTERESTING TIDBITS:

According to researchers, snacks tasted saltier when eaten from red and blue bowls, making these good colors to serve salty snacks in (especially blue). White can sometimes make the sweet taste less sweet so textures on it work better for desserts. On the other hand, red can enhance the perceived sweetness of foods and beverages.

Round White/Black Plates are considered to increase the intensity of flavor and are easily perceived to be of higher quality. They are also most preferred as they highlight food colors and let the culinary delights take the spotlight while looking aesthetically pleasing.

Round or curved plates exhibit a sense of comfort and familiarity, while square or angular plates make for a more contemporary, and modern look, adding an artistic touch. Unique shapes or asymmetrical plates spark curiosity and prepare the senses for a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

EXPLORING THE HUES & THEIR MOODS:

Raging Red ❤️ - The hungriest color of all, this boosts the appetite the most. Red calls for attention, firing up the neurons to prepare your senses for the feast. So, throw in a red tablecloth or a red plate in your next dining setup.

P.S. Best when paired with cherry yellow!

Binge on Blue 🩵 - Representing security, trust, calmness, and serenity, blue screams fresh! No fear of overeating here! It stimulates mental clarity and calms the soul, ideal for creating a relaxing dining atmosphere. Blue also enhances the taste and aroma of the bites.

Order in the Orange 🧡 - Encouraging impulse, this is the comfort color, stimulating appetite and conversation, ideal for a longer meal. 

Yes for Yellow 💛 - Serve a serotonin boost in a yellow setting. Both bright and pastels are associated with happiness, creativity, and optimism while muted yellows have a more earthier, calmer feel. Notes of Beige also give off an earthy feel. These hues remind one of the morning sun or a field of sunflowers.

Go Green 💚 - Giving the impression of being healthy, vegetarian, fresh, and good taste, green has a stronger correlation to nature making one feel at home. 

And so do Browns! 🤎 Giving off a more organic presence, and stimulating appetite.

The Classic Whites 🤍 (or Blacks! 🖤) - A sense of cleanliness, simplicity, or clarity, when plating, white can accent a dish the best, bringing the focus back to food in a sophisticated way.

White introduces elegance to a setting but these days more and more culinary professionals want to experiment and add an extra pizazz to their tabletop presentations by picking colored dinnerware. Mixing up colors, textures, shapes, and materials, the aim is to make your table memorable and give personality to the cuisine you serve.

PSYCHOLOGY OF STONEWARE (CERAMICS):

The natural and earthy tones as well as organic and authentic forms of stoneware (highly fired ceramics) are hugely popular to create a warm, inviting, and spectacular dining experience. The textures add to the tactile experience, making the meal more engaging.

A round serving platter can create a more communal atmosphere where people interact with each other whereas individual pieces like plates and bowls can create a more intimate ambiance.

A beautifully set table with well-plated food positively affects our mood and mindset inducing an inviting aura and a sense of anticipation to indulge in the meal. The way we eat is just as important as what we eat. It helps us to be mindful of every morsel we consume, helping us have a deeper connection with the food and drink that we take in, while also strengthening our bond with the people we are sharing the food and drinks with.

Our very own psychology can help us become more aware of our dining environment, savor the vibe, and enhance our enjoyment and appreciation of the meal manifold. When we are this cautious of creating a wonderful table, every gastronomical delight and each meal is sure to feed not just our stomachs, but also our hearts, minds, and soul!