Does music make food taste better? A question that popped into my head after I went to a newly opened restaurant last weekend. It kept playing all the trendy songs and everyone just kept grooving to the music while savoring the tasty dishes. That’s when I did my research and found some answers.

Studies have confirmed that music just doesn’t set the mood. We all know that music can affect your emotions. But it was surprising to find out that it also enhances the flavor of the food we eat. That’s why restaurants play soothing music and low pitched songs to elevate your food experience while setting a positive atmosphere. Let’s delve deeper into this topic and find out how music can affect your emotions.

Does Food Taste Better With Music? 

As a food enthusiast, trying new restaurants is one of my most favorite things to do. And wherever I go, be it fancy wine and dines or a small cafe tucked at the corner of the city, I’d always find the atmosphere relaxing. Once I was at an upscale restaurant. The food was lip smacking but the music was so bad that it kind of affected the taste too. 

In every restaurant today, there’s music playing in the background, soft lighting, and an aesthetic decor. Everything is strategically to make the customer’s experience richer and more enjoyable. Recent sensory studies have revealed that our senses do not operate alone.

They interact in quite a complex way with other sensory organs due to which it affects our perception of food. Music is one such external factor that has been shown to influence the perception of taste. Hence, music affects food and the taste of it. 

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How Does Music Affect Your Taste?

How are music and food related? Food and drinks and music are a combination made in heaven. This sensation is not merely a figment of imagination. Music affects taste and it also relaxes you while you are making it. If you are a home cook, you can create your own specific playlists to cook food and live in the moment. 

As mentioned earlier, music does indeed influence our perception of taste. Read along and find out how this fascinating interplay between sound and flavor works and how restaurants use music to enhance our dining experience.

1. Music enhances the flavor

Research indicates that music can alter our perception of flavors. For example, a study has found that high-pitched songs like Chandelier by Sia can enhance the perception of sweetness, whereas low-pitched songs like The Climb by Miley Cyrus could emphasize the bitterness of the food. Therefore, Sound changes the taste. some music makes food taste sweeter while some food makes it more bitter. 

2. Music sets a good ambience 

Apart from the direct effects of music on flavor, it also plays an important role in creating a soothing overall dining atmosphere. A lively, upbeat track setting in a restaurant can make a meal feel more festive and enjoyable. It also enhances the social aspects of dining. You are grooving to the beats of the music while sipping your cocktail and having a great time with your friends.

On the other hand, romantic music can create a more relaxed environment which is perfect for romantic dinners. Meanwhile, classical music can make the environment more breezy and it’s perfect for family dinners. All these aspects make a meal more pleasant and it positively affects how we perceive the food itself. 

3. Music enhances food’s texture 

Music can also influence how we perceive the texture of food. Here’s another connection between music and food — a study has found that the tempo and volume of music could affect the perceived crunchiness of snacks.

It also makes you give in to your cravings because your spirits are uplifted and you feel more energized. Faster tempos and higher volumes were associated with a more pronounced crunch. This shows that music can adjust our sensory experience in complex ways.

How Restaurants Use Music To Satisfy The Customers

Does listening to music with positive lyrics during a meal make you enjoy the food more? Yes. Restaurant owners are well-aware of all the above-mentioned studies. They do a thorough research before starting their business and they know how to take advantage of music.

They use it strategically to align with their brand and capture their target audience. In fact, statistics have found that customers spend more money when they are listening to the music they enjoy while having a meal. Here’s how different types of restaurants use music to enhance various dining settings: 

• Romantic restaurants: The purpose of a romantic restaurant is to make the atmosphere cozy and intimate. Hence, romantic restaurants always play gentle melodies and relaxing songs to make partners feel more comfortable. 
• Family-friendly restaurants: Sometimes family-friendly restaurants play upbeat music to create a lovely atmosphere. For instance, food chains like Chili’s and McDonald’s use a mix of popular music and classic hits to appeal to a broad audience. 
• Casual dining spots: Cafés and bistros use a blend of contemporary and eclectic music to create an informal ambience. For example, coffee shops like Starbucks often play a mix of indie and alternative music which helps create a cozy, welcoming space. 
• Upscale fine dining restaurants: When it comes to sophisticated menus and elegant dining experience, restaurants use jazz or classical music to maintain a refined and luxurious atmosphere. The music is usually carefully curated to align with the restaurant’s style and to enhance the perception of high-quality dishes.  

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Conclusion

Music is more than just a background element in dining. It plays a crucial role in shaping how we experience food. From cooking while listening to music to enhancing flavors and textures and creating a specific atmosphere, the interplay between music and food is a powerful tool that restaurants and home cooks use to elevate the dining experience.