The role of packaging in communicating taste

Abstract

As manufacturing, production and trade advance, the packaging of goods has become a necessity and its importance has constantly been increasing. For food products, packaging has
generally been a way to provide a “barrier” or a “frame” within which certain products can be placed – such as beans, sugar, flour, seeds, liquids, but also oftentimes fruit and vegetables,
all of which were once sold in bulk, in various units – kilogram, unit, litre, etc. Thus, packaging has made it somewhat easier for the consumers to deal with goods without having to lug various items around, without having to weigh and package them on their own. We say “somewhat” because such practices do still exist, and are even going through a sort of renaissance, especially having in mind recent ecological trends (especially when it comes to food products) going against most sorts of packaging.