{"id":1822,"date":"2018-08-01T13:07:25","date_gmt":"2018-08-01T17:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/?p=1822"},"modified":"2024-08-07T03:49:26","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T07:49:26","slug":"create-exciting-and-stimulating-events-using-multi-hued-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lionsdeal.com\/blog\/create-exciting-and-stimulating-events-using-multi-hued-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"Create Exciting and Stimulating Events Using Multi-Hued Foods"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Use<\/p>\n

Catering Clients Crave Color<\/strong><\/p>\n

For many reasons, color is a caterer\u2019s best friend. Colorful d\u00e9cor and multi-hued accessories can create a festive atmosphere that boosts enthusiasm levels even before the food arrives. Color energizes the senses and puts people in the right mood for a party. When the food comes out and it is colorful and attractive, well, you\u2019ve captured the attention and triggered the excitement of everyone present and, after all, that\u2019s the goal of every successful caterer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Colorful Food Takes on New Meaning<\/strong><\/p>\n

As recently as a few years ago, rainbow food was all about health and nutrition; only recently, did \u201crainbows\u201d and \u201cunicorns\u201d begin to mean Instagram-friendly foods that look great through the camera\u2019s lens. Regardless of why you\u2019re serving colorful foods, however, it looks fabulous and is attractive and appetite-whetting.<\/p>\n

Healthy-eating advocates often tell people to “eat the rainbow.” It’s a simple way of reminding people that a variety of fruits and vegetables in one\u2019s daily diet will afford all the vitamins and minerals people need. The concept of eating the rainbow was particularly popular a few years ago \u2013 but the legitimacy of the idea hasn\u2019t waned since then \u2013 when dietitians, doctors, and other health advisors used the phrase to get people\u2014especially children\u2014to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diets. It\u2019s a nice catchphrase, but behind the Madison Avenue advertising lies the science that explains why a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables<\/a> can be both pleasing to the eye and good for your health. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What “Eat the Rainbow” Means<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Food Revolution Network article entitled, \u201cEating The Rainbow: Why Eating a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables Is Important for Optimal Health,\u201d explains that to \u201ceat the rainbow\u201d is a quick way to say that the color of food can tell a lot about its nutritional value, and eating a variety of colors is one way to get as many vitamins and minerals as possible (while eating a broad range of foods in the process.) The phrase was originally aimed at parents who wanted to help their children adopt a more healthful diet; however, it caught on in the catering world as well, as healthful eating and colorful food gained traction as trends that are two sides of the same coin.<\/p>\n

\"Colorful<\/p>\n

The Relationship Between Food Color and Nutritional Value<\/strong><\/p>\n

Certain colors of food indicate an abundance of specific nutrients. For example, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables<\/a> (citrus fruit, squash, and so on) are full of vitamins C and A, while green fruits and vegetables (avocados, kale, spinach, asparagus, etc.) are high in vitamins K, B, and E. Beautiful purple produce (eggplant, red cabbage, grapes, and more) are high in vitamins C and K, and these are just some examples. Plants often derive their colors from different phytochemicals that can be found in them, and these compounds offer various nutrients when the fruit or vegetable is eaten. That’s the basis of “eating the rainbow.” <\/p>\n

In addition to nutritional value, certain colors can have a profound effect on our mood. Different food colors can cause our pulse, respiratory system, and blood pressure levels to fluctuate because our brains subconsciously decide what a color will taste like before the food even touches our mouths. <\/p>\n

So, what does this mean for your catering menu and your event\u2019s d\u00e9cor? Let\u2019s take the color red \u2013 the color of alarms and excitement \u2013 as an example. Red has an activating effect on the human psyche and it follows that, when it comes to food, red hues subconsciously signal that we should consume more. In addition, when you want to create an electrifying atmosphere and get your guests dancing and moving, use scarlet-hued decor<\/a> and menu items such as tomatoes, watermelon, cherries and other fruits as stimulation. Similarly, golds, oranges, and yellows – the color of sunshine and dandelions \u2013 elicit an optimistic and happy feeling, which is just what you\u2019re hoping your guests will feel as they approach your buffet table. From cornbread to sweet potato pie<\/a> and on to salads laden with vibrant yellow and orange peppers, golden-hued foods are usually associated with comfort and these food items brighten up the room and liven the ambience.<\/p>\n

\"Charcoal<\/p>\n

Charcoal is the New Black<\/strong><\/p>\n

Charcoal is taking the world by storm. It\u2019s a mainstay in beauty products, and now it can be used in foods, as well. Charcoal is being hailed for its ability to draw out toxins from the body, and it has been shown to help detoxify us from chemicals. More important \u2013 for caterers and foodies \u2013 charcoal-colored food<\/a> is about as attention grabbing as you can get, and it can be used in many things, from smoothies to ice cream as well as cake and other desserts. The black tone may remind some people of licorice, and the color may not be everyone\u2019s cup of tea, but it will surely draw attention to the charcoal-colored item, and then it\u2019s a short road to plates and palates.<\/p>\n

Royal and Beautiful Purple<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just a year ago, purple food was declared one of the hottest food trends in the catering world. Foods such as a\u00e7a\u00ed and beets have been popular for some time, not only for their health properties, but because of that bright vibrant color they bring to dishes. Violet-hued produce such as purple cauliflower, purple asparagus, eggplant, blueberries, purple sweet potatoes and purple corn inundated the market and the produce baskets of health-conscious people everywhere, and for good reason. These foods are packed with antioxidants and anthocyanins, and the pigments that appear in red, blue and purple foods have been linked to fighting cancer, and are being credited for such health benefits as reducing inflammation, keeping a healthy heart, and keeping you looking younger for longer. <\/p>\n

\"Purple<\/p>\n

Purple Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Soup<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not only does this soup, borrowed from the Love and Olive Oil website, look gorgeous, it\u2019s also brimming with goodness. The sweet potatoes are cooked with the purple cauliflower, which balances the sweetness of the soup and adds creaminess without needing to add cream or milk. <\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/u><\/p>\n