In Chinese cuisine, we believe in the right combination of Colour, Smell and Taste. Colour being the number one on the list. Have you given a thought about how important is the colour of the food you eat? Let's see what each colour of the food helps us in determining the degree of "edibility" (or how great it looks shows how great it tastes in your mind).
Black
This is the colour that we would associate with charcoal.. or carbon, that is, burnt food. All right, we have read countless reports about how those carbon can be carcinogens? Relax.. I'm just discussing how you would relate the colour to the taste of the food. Burnt? It's bound to be bitter and rock hard. Not very appetising? Yeah!
However, don't forget foods that are naturally black. Black Truffles, Squid Ink (Pasta). These reflect a different class of food... or should I say exotic and exquisite food. Those that spells EXPENSIVE!
Grey
This is not a naturally occurring colour in nature. It reminds us more of ashes and nothing more. Most of us would not find Greyish-looking food wheting our appetite in any way.
Red
It has got to be the most vibrant colour in food! We think about all the rich and Vitamin C packed flavours when we see Red. It is not deemed a sign of danger. Adds instant colours to a boring dish. Chillies, peppers, tomatoes and of course seafood! I love the Redness in food!
Oh and did someone say Red Wine?
On the other hand, it can also mean blood. Raw or undercooked meat are so red in colour that it makes you nauseous. So Red is good if it is not found in meats.
Green
Eat your daily greens!! You can probably only find green in all the vegetables. The colour of chlorophyll. Packed with vitamins and good for health!
Blue or Purple
It is more purplish than blue. Purple fruits and vegetables contain more vitamins than fruits of other colours. The beautiful purplish hue of a blue potato makes your plain spud look more like a work of nature's art.
Yellow and Orange
Again we are looking at Vitamin C! Our favourite citrus fruits are found in all shades of yellow and orange. Blood orange is a combination of red and orange. It reminds of vibrant food bursting with wholesome goodness in the summer! Wonderful colours to add to any food.
Brown
Earthy colours. You will associate these foods to being very close to the earth throughout their lifetimes. Potatoes (skin) and mushrooms (shiitake) are two examples. Not too much flavours would you expect from this colour category but good all down to earth taste.
Let's not forget everyone's favourite Chocolate!! Yes! Almost everyone love it! It is not boring but is every patissiere's lover. If only we can have the whole world made up of Chocolate!
White
Expecting innocence and purity in this group of food? Not really. More a lack of flavours. Bland is the word. We will associate Protein-rich foods (meats and seafood that turn white after cooking) and Dairy products with White. It is actually quite a common colour and it requires the accompaniment of other colours to make the food more palatable.
That's it for all the colours of food. Which is your favourite group of colours? Thinking twice about the function of colours in your food yet?
