Pablo Picasso was right when he said “Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” Imagine life without dash of colours. Won’t it be plain bland and boring? We recognize most things by their colour and food is not an exception to this.
It is in fact relished in many ways, and perception (the way it looks and feel) is one of them. That is why most culinary experts pay extra attention to taste, but greater to the visual appeal of the cuisines. Besides appeal, colours of the ingredients used in the cuisines influence our appetite. Over the years, subconsciously, we have become habitual to judge the health and nutrition of food by its colour.
Therefore, It Is Important To Feast Eyes Before Taste Buds
It is important to understand the colour psychology because you eat with your eyes before you eat with your mouth. There’s pasta, which is good. But then there’s pasta with red and yellow peppers, grated soft cheese, bright red sauce and green broccoli that sets your stomach grumbling at first sight. That’s the difference.
It is about knowing the art of how ingredients are mixed and matched to create a stunning visual appeal without compromising on taste. Here are few blow-by-blow tips on how food can be themed and garnished to bring out that “Visual Taste”.
A Hint Of Cheer And A Dash Of Sunshine
Adding warmth of yellow and mischievousness of orange gives an instant visual appeal to dish. There are lot of colourful vegetables, fruits, seasonings, sauces etc. that can not only enhance the flavour but add beauty to a seemingly simple dish.
Avoid Dark Shades
Avoid theming the entire cuisine in dark shades like blue, black etc. because they are appetite suppressing colours.
Bright Is Delight
Increase the indulgence by intensifying the food with bright red and green colours.
The Golden Shine
You can caramelize or roast ingredients to bring out the the golden colour and crispy crunch in them.
Garnishing Has Many Ways To It
The way cuisines are styled and garnished also matters. It gives food more refined texture, enhancing the breadth of colours used.
Just Sprinkle
It can be freshly grated cheese, chocolates, finely chopped coriander, pinch of minced parsley on a steak and much more. Just be creative and sprinkle right thing.
Using Sprigs
There are many varieties of herbs that enrich the colour of the dish and also add an appetising aroma to it.
Giving Knife A Culinary Edge
The way food is sliced, diced and chopped also compliments to the entire look of the dish prepared.
Presentation Is An Art
Who would hate to taste food that looks like this?
And, Now The Secret Ingredient
It is freshness. There is no substitute for it because you can’t expect fusty vegetables, ingredients, fruits and likes to give matchless sparkle to any cuisines. If you are part of the growing and demanding food industry you would definitely know the importance of fresh supply of food products. Shimla Hills understands this to the core and makes it a point to meet all your needs for tropical fruits, vegetables and processed products anytime you want.
