Psychology suggests people save best meal bites for the end
The habit of eating favourite food last may be linked to the peak-end effect and anticipatory savouring, according to a Times of India report.
People who save the most delicious part of their meal for the final mouthful may be driven by psychological factors rather than just preference, according to a report by the Times of India.
A 2014 study titled ‘Preference-Based Serial Decision Dynamics: Your First Sushi Reveals Your Eating Order at the Sushi Table’ examined how 148 participants chose the order in which they ate seven pieces of sushi.
Researchers found two distinct patterns: one group ate their favourite pieces first, while another group began with the least preferred pieces and saved the best for last.
The study suggested that saving the best for last may relate to the ‘peak-end effect’, where the conclusion of an experience strongly influences how the entire event is evaluated.
Another possible explanation is anticipatory savouring, which is the pleasure experienced when looking forward to something. A 2018 study found that anticipating consumption can increase enjoyment during the experience and when it is remembered later.
While research on chocolate consumption in 2016 also showed that anticipation influences eating, there is no established rule that saving favourite food for last indicates specific personality traits like discipline or patience.