The appearance of sweets entices our appetite. When I glanced at a showcase at a convenience store, the sight of chou à la crème immediately caught my attention. The brown-colored Choux pastry has a crispy texture without being too soft. Vivid images of the creamy texture melting on my tongue filled my mind when I saw the chou à la crème. The moment I saw the chou à la crème, I couldn’t resist buying it. When I got home and took a bite, I confirmed the visual clue was right. The chou à la crème’s creamy filling satisfied me.
Appearance-Deceptive Sweets
Visuals alone can predict sensory experiences during eating. The stark difference between the visually appealing food depicted and its actual taste could magnify our disappointment. When I bought the chocolate-coated soft biscuits, I expected a delightful textural experience—a crispy bite followed by a bittersweet coating. However, my first bite disappointed my taste buds. The chocolate was tasteless, and the soft biscuit lacked crispiness. After that disappointment, I have never bought them again.
Appearance for Food Safety and Quality
Appearance is an essential cue for the freshness of food ingredients, especially for cooking Japanese food. Visuals serve as sensory cues for consumers when choosing good food each day. At the supermarket, we pick up packaged sashimi, like fresh fish, with a bright, firm appearance. We also pick up strawberries with bright red colors and glossy appearances, like fresh ones, when we buy and eat them as fresh fruit. Daily grocery shopping is part of Japanese culture, and those who do it have become skilled at judging food quality by appearance.
Food to Show-off
Photo-sharing social platforms make us take photos of the food we eat. Many Japanese people take pictures of sweets, lunch, and dinner and upload them to social media platforms like Instagram. My Instagram friend has posted Japanese and Western sweets, saying they look Instagrammable.
A delicious food photo helps us remember the meal even after it’s gone. Looking at the picture can bring back the taste and experience.
Food as a Small Daily Entertainment
Eating delicious food is a tiny daily treat. The alluring appearance of food is the start of our taste journey. Delicious food’s delicate appearance and taste entertain us and make us happy.
When I’m hungry, the visual presentation of the food no longer matters—only the taste and quantity do.