Power of presence: Effects of physical or digital commensality on consumer perception and acceptance of meals

The current COVID-19 pandemic has prevented individuals from gathering together physically because of mandated social distancing, enhancing the popularity digital commensalism via video telecommunication. Since there been only limited research on how presence can influence food consumption experience, this study aimed to determine whether differing means could sensory and emotional responses consumed meals. A total 56 participants, comprised 28 co-habiting pairs, ate meal samples 3 separate days under different commensality conditions: (1) (“physical commensality”), (2) virtually (“digital (3) alone (“eating alone”). three conditions, rated attribute intensities acceptance also self-reported results demonstrated that participants liked physical most, followed by commensality, with eating condition least liked. While meals more than condition, was no significant difference in overall liking between conditions. Commensality conditions induced variation meal-evoked profiles, associated positive valence-related emotions. Differing resulted duration consumption, shortest occurring condition. In conclusion, emphasizes great potential for improving environments incorporating technological enhancement into especially when is impossible.