How social is Sicilian food?
Who, before ordering a dish or even choosing a restaurant to try, doesn’t happen to rely on photos and reviews that, by now, fill the web and our social media?
Food in virtual reality
The influence that social networks have in everyone’s life is undeniable. The manifold experiences of everyday life are increasingly transposed from reality to the “other” reality, almost automatically: by now the two worlds cannot help but influence each other.
Among the many elements depopulating on social media, there is certainly no shortage of what, literally, keeps us alive: food. Whether we talk about gastronomic experience, tasting or simply nourishment, the act of eating is that phenomenon that manages to synaesthetically engage all our senses. From visual perception, prompted by the aesthetics with which a food or dish is presented, to the activation of the sense of taste, via a myriad of other stimuli in between (smells, noises, etc.).
The idea of nurturing almost takes on the appearance of a step-by-step path. What is so special about this? The fact that, especially in recent times, each of these steps is “isolated” and transported within social media, to be not only described in its uniqueness, but more importantly shared with the rest of the world.
Instagram: food beyond pictures
Of all the social networks, Instagram has taken a leading role as far as the diverse world of food is concerned. The platform that was born for images, but has now been greatly transformed and enriched, lends itself more than the others to restoring the sought-after aesthetic immediacy to users, which is achieved even by just scrolling through the feed.
Instagram also makes it possible to fish in the magnum sea of images those that potentially appeal to a certain type of audience, a narrow niche of interested parties. This, thanks to the use of the hashtag. What was once just the delete key has now become synonymous with the content categorizer.
So what are the #hashtags most popular in the food world? In addition to the canonical #food, which is now almost taken for granted by both searchers and those who publish food-related content, listed among the most clicked on are: #foodporn e #foodie.
The law of Foodporn
That of foodporn can almost be described as a “law,” which dictates the rules for all other arguments in the industry.
These two little words put together have been given the meaning of “food that makes one very hungry.” But for the law to be properly enforced, it is necessary for the content to which the hashtag is associated to comply with certain requirements: impeccable aesthetics and video content associated with the image.
Just hitting the eye is not enough. Food is not just aesthetics; food has shapes, textures and also makes noise.
Do you know the crunchy in potato chips? Or the fluidity of a chocolate frosting? Well, although not 100%, a video will make these features much more tangible than a single photo. The accuracy and comprehensiveness of a #foodporn tag post, are the indispensable characteristics to make that content stand out among the many that, using that hashtag, are “hungry” to emerge.
Who are the Foodies?
Food connoisseurs, also known as “gourmets,” foodies are all those who, due to distinct passion, are connoted as excellent food connoisseurs.
A foodie is a specialist in every little dynamic included in the world of food and is well-versed in the best restaurants. He knows the typical dishes of various local cuisines, can cook, invent or replicate both traditional and more current matrix recipes.
In short, the so-called connoisseur possesses a 360-degree preparation regarding food in all its facets. Therefore, he uses it on social channels both as a tool to make himself known to the public and to create and share material that can inform social users clearly and, above all, truthfully.
Sicialian food on Instagram
It is known that the beautiful 3-pointed Island is known worldwide for its culinary delights. From street food to the most sophisticated dishes, passing through some traditional home recipes, Sicilian food, for the past couple of years, has taken a respectable place within the food community growing steadily, especially on Instagram.
Carrying high the flag of Trinacria on the social of images, are two pages: SICILIA FOOD PORN
e Pistacchissimo.
Sicilia Food Porn began as a member of the pioneers of Sicilian food on Instagram and to date has about 125 thousand followers.
The page aims to be, not only a showcase for the best products and dishes of Sicilian cuisine, but also tries to meet the entire Instagram audience by providing reviews and recommending the “best” places to taste the delicacies shared in photos.
Perfect exemplification of the culinary rivalry between the region’s two most famous provinces are the two food communities linked to the pages of Catania Food Porn e Palermo food porn. An extra touch of patriotism always emerges from their posts, perfectly in line with the cities they represent. It can be said that they tend to pull the water to their own mill, rather than dealing with Sicilian food or places in the region in a generalized way. They are still a key reference point for travelers and enthusiasts who find themselves having to choose among the myriad of venues, in both provinces.
As for Pistacissimo, the name certainly does not deceive: this is the page devoted to our little green jewels, to all their possible culinary uses. And of course to the promotion of many little places where the base of the dishes is green, in every sense of the word.
Pistacchissimo’s fame is due not only to the excellent work done by the administrators, who publish posts that are always full of new information and never trivial, but also to certain formats, which over time have gone viral: thee rankings.
How can we forget the ranking of the best pistachio granitas, the most delicious panettone with the beloved pistacchiella attached? Or the one of Naples’ most filling copper with green heart?
Through engagement and involvement of the public, the Pistacchissimo page has also made possible the opening of an online shop, within which it is possible to find small pistachio-based delicacies such as creams, pastries and panettone that are sold throughout Italy.
A testament to how powerful social media, when used judiciously, is allowing Sicilian food to become increasingly known and appreciated.
by Giada Saglimbeni