We all know there are images that people go crazy over on the internet that relate to food. Or rather specific food groups and items. If you are an inspiring food blogger or just someone interested in these trends on social media, this is a good starting point. You may already know some as you may inherently gravitate towards them.

Pictures taken by the author.

The Cheese Pull

This one is pretty obvious. Who doesn’t like cheese? It has so many associations that make people happy. Taste bud memories overflow at the thought of mac and cheese, cheeseburgers, pizza, and queso dip with nachos. My theory is that pulling as action triggers a visceral reaction. You can visualize biting on the cheese yourself, and the taste makes you drool.

The Oozing Yolk

Another one commonly known both inside and outside the foodie circles is yolk porn. Some would call the descriptive term provocative, but the bursting and consequent oozing does have adult content undertones 🙊. What makes this a trigger is the anticipation of the popping act. You know the yolk is partially cooked, you know it's going to be runny, you know a yellow stream will gush over whatever it is sitting on. And you want to see it happen.

The Dripping Cone

Is there anything more annoying? When it is blazing outside, and all you want is to enjoy your ice cream cone in peace? Then alas, five licks in a cool trickle begins to cascade down your fingers, along your wrist, and finally, onto the cuffs of your shirt, leaving a sticky mess behind. Most people are probably drawn to the imagery because they can relate, and if those drips are not wiped off, they may be begging to be licked! Well, when that goes on camera (preferably with the sticky fingers omitted), a #foodporn worthy photo is born.

The Lifted Noodles

If you have an Instagram account and follow at least a dozen food bloggers, chances are you have seen a noodle pull. Or, perhaps you have done it yourself as you ate but had no idea there was a name for it. Noodle pulls all into the category of photographs known as action shots, which is part of what makes it appealing. People can imagine themselves doing it, or perhaps depending on the appearance of the noodle, airlifting them into their mouth. Either way, this one is a classic, particularly when it comes to ramen and certain pasta dishes.

The Cream-Squeezed Doughnut

I do-nut even know where to begin with this! Ah yes, donuts, one of the most magical foodstuffs out there. This is one you probably see several times a week, if not in a tower heaped one on top of the other or sprawled in a box as a dozen. Donuts squeezed or pulled apart to reveal the filling - be it jam, custard, Nutella, etc., all for our viewing pleasure. This move is especially compelling because you can really imagine the taste.

The Ready-to-Burst Burrata

Oh my burrata! One of the classier, sleeker food porn stars (no pun intended). Burrata reminds me of a new car, shiny on the outside, engendering all types of excitement. Besides tasting incredibly delicious, particularly when paired with tomato, basil, and pesto, burrata looks great on camera. Still, the best part that makes everyone pause with anticipation is slicing into it. Even if the cheese ball is not very creamy on the inside when moving the knife down to slice through it, it looks like a balloon about to pop, and that's what qualifies burrata as a worthy food porn trigger. 

Whatever the case may be, we know that visually stimulating food moves people. Everyone from social media influencers to large restaurant chains and food corporations capitalize on this fact. It's just fascinating to consider the 'why' when it comes to these drool-worthy stills, especially as we see an increase in the move to live-action food porn, more commonly known as video. Stay tuned for more insights like these on dontmissmyplate.com.