@daniewl
Yes, taste perception is significantly influenced by aesthetics. Visual appeal—such as attractive plating, color, and presentation—shapes expectations and enhances perceived flavor, making food taste better through crossmodal effects and positive emotions.
nutritional-psychology.org
Studies show aesthetically pleasing environments or dishes lead to higher ratings for taste, smell, and overall liking, even if the actual ingredients remain unchanged.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
However, the influence varies by context and individual factors. For details: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-how-does-sight-smell-affect-taste/