New research shows bold color in food and drink is shaping how people connect, share, and find comfort.

A new report from GNT Group, covered by Quality Assurance Mag, highlights a subtle but really important shift in food and drink consumption.

As we all navigate instability, screen fatigue, and constant digital noise, shared eating and drinking moments are becoming more emotionally charged.

Color is playing a larger role in setting the tone for those moments, often before taste, aroma or ingredients come into play.

GNT’s Gather Together report shows consumers using food as a way to connect, explore culture, and express identity.

Color helps people imagine the context the product belongs in … whether that’s a familiar, comforting meal, a celebration of regional flavor, or a small escape from routine.

That means a lot for all kinds of product makers and marketers.

Color shapes expectations early.

Warm, hearty tones create a vibe of nourishment and comfort.

Saturated regional hues give a nudge of authenticity.

Surreal or unexpected colors open the door to curiosity and play.

Citrus and floral palettes bring on energy and collaboration.

These signals help buyers understand what role the product will play in their lives before they ever read the label.

In weird and uncertain times, people gravitate toward products that feel expressive and inherently shareable.

Color lowers the cognitive load by making that emotional promise quickly and intuitively.

If your product relies only on flavor descriptors or nutritional benefits to do the work, you could be missing the moment where buyers subconsciously decide whether it belongs in their shared experience.

Food is carrying extra emotional meaning right now, and color is one of the clearest ways that meaning shows up.

What’s YOUR fave trick for injecting a burst of color?

Want to make your product irresistible? That’s what we do as product marketing consultants at Graphos Product, helping innovators turn need-driven ideas into market-ready successes.