A friend recently sent me a photo of the festival candies from Kanyakumari and it instantly took me back to my childhood. These colorful sugar based treats were a highlight during village festivals, something that delighted us as children. Now, living far from home I rarely get to experience these simple pleasures and seeing the picture brought back feelings of nostalgia and curiosity.
However as I looked closer something seemed different. The candies appeared muted lacking the vibrant colours I remembered. Growing up, these sweets were always a visual delight with bright pinks, yellows and violets that made them look visually pleasing. Curious about the change I asked my father and he explained that the government has now restricted the use of artificial colours for health reasons which has given the sweets this muted appearance.
Though the taste remains unchanged, it is surprising how much the appearance of food influences our perception. As Apicius, the 1st century Roman gourmand said, “We eat first with our eyes". These once vibrant candies had captivated us as children drawing us in with their lively colours before we even took a bite. Now, without those punchy colours they appear less appetizing as if a small part of their charm has faded.
This realization brought a tinge of sadness. These candies which had once brightened festivals and added colour to our tongues and childhood now seem a bit muted. While I understand and respect the health based regulations, it highlights how "change" even for good reasons can sometimes dull a cherished part of our past.
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