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. 2024 Jun 28;13(13):2063.
doi: 10.3390/foods13132063.

Effect of Shape, Size, and Color of the Food Plate on Consumer Perception of Energy Value, Portion Size, Attractiveness, and Expected Price of Dessert

Artur Głuchowski  1 , Katarzyna Koteluk  1 , Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina  1
Affiliations

Effect of Shape, Size, and Color of the Food Plate on Consumer Perception of Energy Value, Portion Size, Attractiveness, and Expected Price of Dessert

Artur Głuchowski et al. Foods. .

Abstract

The development of new dishes in the catering services market requires an understanding of consumers' needs, expectations, and motivations for their choices. The effect of the serving method of a dessert on customers' perceptions of its visual appeal, portion size, energy value, and expected price was evaluated. The study involved the presentation of desserts on plates of various sizes, shapes, and colors. The study was carried out among 1005 respondents using the CAWI method. Our findings revealed that along with an increasing plate size from a diameter of ϕ24-27 cm to ϕ31 cm, the ratings of the dish's perceived appearance (p ≤ 0.001), portion size (p ≤ 0.001), and energy value (p ≤ 0.01) decreased. Plate shape influenced the perceived appearance of the dessert. When placed on a square platter, round desserts were considerably (p ≤ 0.05) less appealing. The color of the plate had a significant influence (p ≤ 0.001) on the dish's perceived appearance and estimated monetary value, and it evoked more sensory-hedonic impressions. Red-plate and white-plate desserts were liked less than black-plate desserts, but color-plated desserts were perceived as more expensive than those served on white dishes. Consumers perceived bright desserts on white plates as traditional, natural, and boring; those on black plates as modern, appetizing, and aesthetic; and those served on red plates as artificial, unsightly, and unappetizing. Higher consumer food neophobia led to a lower rating related to appearance and price perceptions, but elevated perceptions of portion size and energy value appraisal. Our results may be used in the marketing of gastronomic dishes.

Keywords: acceptability; appetite; energy value; expected price; hedonics; plate color and shape; portion size; sensory properties.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Study design visualization. (b) Explanation of the idea of the scale concept.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Multiple correspondence analysis of CATA responses on colorful plates associations. red color—products; blue color—attributes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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