Add Quote by Michael Moss
“Take a cup of coffee, keep adding sugar until you reach the point that you like it the most, and then when you add more sugar, you actually like it less. Well, the food industry knows that, and they spend huge amounts of effort finding the perfect spot, not just for sugar, but for fat and salt, as well.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Salt Sugar Fat, Michael Moss, 2013
Food manufacturers fine‑tune flavor levels to hit the most appealing balance, then add more and it becomes less enjoyable.
In simple terms: Companies find the perfect amount of sugar, fat, or salt for maximum appeal.
Key Takeaway
Beware of engineered taste peaks.
Themes
marketing
taste
consumer behavior
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
informative
When to use this quote
- product development
- advertising
- food labeling
- consumer education
Key Concepts
sensory optimization
psychology of preference
Questions to Reflect On
- How does awareness of this affect your food choices?
- Can you identify when a product is engineered for maximum appeal?
A Different Perspective
The “perfect” level is a moving target and may change with trends.
