In an age disrupted by technological innovations and dwelling in fast-paced society the advent of short-form reels and videos in the realism of street food has impacted the way we consume our content. This advent of short reels changes the mindsets of many, especially those who attaches more importance to aesthetics and want themselves to be perceived as trendsetters.
However, there are people who still are much interested in exploring street food, can’t help but be bewildered by the recent changes that have pervaded the way we perceive, consume, critique street food through the effect of short-form reels.
Within the complicated tapestry for global gastronomy, street meals have retained a unique and favoured role—a colourful combination of flavours, cultures, and traditions that playfully engage the passersby’s palates. However, in a time of short-form reels and video clips, the sacredness of street food faces an existential threat.
The main motive for these relished quick bites is to present one with instant energy or delights in the shortest time available. Grabbing pans, scented spices, and the musical cacophony of cooking device all add to the symphony that units aside real street cuisine. However, the introduction of quick-short reels has created a situation in which these small steps and essences are both ignored or often, completely neglected.
Globally, street foods are threatened by the negative effects of the smaller-sized reel. Most of the street vendors can be considered as the heartbeat of cities. Spherical is a street-food company and a social movement that delivers results in an age where it is easy to work as well as share food. They also encourage people to try exclusive food in high rated restaurants.
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This eventually leads to leaving out street food where one can explore cuisines by themselves, also saving money. The fact that one must look worked up and sophisticated in a highly maintained restaurant where as we see people sharing their moments of happiness in a ‘chai-tapri’.
Consumers are being forced to favour the aesthetics of the setting over the taste of the food.
They end up ignoring the reality because of the widespread desire for visually appealing and effortless good-looking food. Just to give an example, let us consider ‘panipuri’- imagine how people love eating them standing in a humble street corner. Nowadays, what happens is one goes to an aesthetically, pleasing restaurant they give you six pieces with three different types of water and stuffing as sides in beautifully shaped containers for extremely high rates. This starts a war.
Vendors are pressured to create visually appealing and Instagram-friendly dishes, often by forsaking the flavours and authenticity of the delicacy to receive the limelight online and draw costumers. In the quest for short-lived digital fame, the true essence of street food is buried by an upsurge of cosmetic aesthetics.
In a nutshell, though short-form clips can provide a rapid source of culinary guidance, the effect they have on the truest essence of street cuisine is certainly negative. The talent, cultural depth, social links, and sincerity that identify street cuisine are put aside in the never-ending search for simplicity and viral attraction.
As consumers, we must recognize the risk of decreasing these gastronomic treasures to mere snatches and actively seek out and promote the unique connections that street food represents. The ethos of street food ought to be celebrated, not just in shorter film snippets, but in holistic ways that have been a part of our culinary legacy for generations.
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