Red food brings back smile to your face

(Photo: ekapija)

Gourmets know that taste and enjoyment of a meal is not just about the food, but also about presentation. We rely on visual cues to direct our sensory expectations about the flavour of a food and what it will taste like. Our body relies on our eyes to send signals to our brain long before our taste buds have a chance to give their input. A food’s colour can provide us with clues about the quality and taste of what we eat before we devour it - it can indicate ripeness and freshness. Independent food psychologist Dr Christy Fergusson points out that red is a powerful color that triggers our appetite.

- It’s associated with feelings of intimacy, passion, energy and sexuality. Green symbolises the beauty of nature. This is related to being healthy, in nature, and can have a calming effect on the body, while orange is believed to stimulate us mentally. Orange is an invigorating colour that is warm, soothing and can also stimulate your appetite - says Dr. Ferguson.