Many people think we taste food only with our tongues. However, studies show that music and sound can influence how we perceive flavor. This phenomenon is called Sonic Seasoning.

Sonic seasoning does not change the food itself. Instead, it works through multisensory integration, a process in which the brain combines information from hearing, taste, and smell. Because of this, the same food can taste sweeter, richer, or fresher depending on the sounds we hear.

                 Scientific research supports this idea. In a 2020 study involving 1,611 participants, people ate the same chocolate while listening to different types of music. Those who listened to positive music rated the chocolate more favorably and showed a greater intention to buy it. Soft and harmonious music also made the chocolate's flavor seem richer.

                 Today, some restaurants use carefully selected music to improve the dining experience, and food companies are exploring sound-based marketing. As AI technology develops, personalized music may one day enhance the taste of food for each individual. Sonic seasoning shows that eating is not only about taste—it is also shaped by the way our brain combines information from multiple senses.

 English Reporter, Cho Ye-Jin