Why does the enjoyment of the same foods/wine differ depending on the location. Word or expression for this?

Question

For example in France we enjoy certain cheeses, baguettes and wine however when we return home our enjoyment of exactly the same food and wine is much less. Similarly, when we enjoy wine at a vineyard and purchase a case, we never seem to enjoy it as much away from the vineyard. When we enjoy food at a restaurant or friends' home and we faithfully replicate the recipe for ourselves, it is always less enjoyable than where we originally tasted it. There must be a reason other than the ambiance?

For example in France we enjoy certain cheeses, baguettes and wine however when we return home our enjoyment of exactly the same food and wine is much less. Similarly, when we enjoy wine at a vineyard and purchase a case, we never seem to enjoy it as much away from the vineyard. When we enjoy food at a restaurant or friends' home and we faithfully replicate the recipe for ourselves, it is always less enjoyable than where we originally tasted it. I feel it is more thanjust the ambiance? So far the best I have com up with is "milieu" meaning environment, state of life, social surroundings - but I somehow feel there is more to it? I really do appreciate your thoughts on this.

Answer 1

One of the most intriguing questions I've come across here...

I think there was a chapter discussing something similar in Malcolm Gladwell's book "Blink." He discusses how researchers have found people are predisposed to taste of a food based on the packaging.
Maybe this is something similar. The same way the book discusses that the average person rates a type of whiskey higher if it comes out of a bottle that looks roundish and flask-like, maybe we take what we have in our location/environment, and based on the structure of expectation we have for enjoying a certain delicacy, think of it accordingly.

Answer 2

I think ambiance and atmosphere describes why our enjoyment is different, but I think you are looking for something else. Are you looking for the word that means the syndrome of enjoying things differently in different settings? I don't know what the word is. I am going to put this on my watch list and hope someone comes up with it. Maybe someone with a psychology background would have an answer.

What a great question! Now it will be bugging me all day. Thanks a lot. ha ha

Answer 3

Ambience, relaxation, good company all play a very large part in this. However, The temperature of the food and wine can alter the taste of it.And When you prepare food in well water compared to chlorinated treated water,there is a huge differance.Cheese in most foreign countries is served room temperature and is much more flavorful that way. Also, many wines are served at room temperature also. In the USA, we have a tendency to serve food very hot or very cold and seldom at room temp, this may be the difference. Hope I was helpful!

Answer 4

I find the taste of certain foods will take me straight back to the time/place I first tasted them. Maybe you're a lousy cook? Just kidding. I once had a favorite restaurant where I always felt happy. (no it wasn't MacDonalds) Making a great restaurant is tricky. That's why so many go out of business in the first six months. But any food that's prepared with love is sure to taste better than just food.

Answer 5

The food may be the same, but the preparation and presentation can make a huge difference. Good service can also make a difference.

When I visit a new restraunt I visit their rest room before ordering, If I find it anything less than totally clean, I leave without ordering.

I worked in food service for years and bathrooms are good indicators of whether the restraunt does a better business at the bar than in the restraunt.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

this is a really good question.

i like james' answer, its pretty good.

i wonder if it is a variability thing also, sometimes you go to a restorant and order a dish and it is to die for. then you go back a month later and order the same thing, and it is not as good. so, were they really different each time? or was your state of mind, biological disposition (hunger, hormones, etc), the environment, or something else different instead (or also). its a good question, and ive experienced the same thing.

my best guess is that its a complex equation involving all these factors.

either that, or the places are duping us and selling us something worse than what we tasted at the place.

Answer 7

Ambiance. The overall feel of a scene or environment, including it's acoustics and naturally occurring sounds.
Atmosphere.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Ambiance!

Answer 10

same reason you will spend 100 dollars for a bottle of wine at a nice place that you can get for 35 and drink at home, it is the whole experience that you are paying for, the whole enchilada if you will.