What is the ideal color temperature for displaying meat, fish, vegetables, bread…?

The colour of light influences our perception. It even has an effect on our bodies – something that keeps the chromotherapists busy. That’s why so much attention is paid to finding the right colour temperature for the lighting in shops.

Special lighting products for food

Red Meat:

For red meat, it is best to choose light with a warm white colour (2700 to 3000 Kelvin). This light highlights the freshness of meat products because warm white light contains more red shades. Steaks, rack of lamb, minced meat … all look much more appetizing due to the effects of this warm lighting colour. The red, fresh colour of meat is extra accentuated like this. Cool white light, which contains more blue shades, would lend red meat the completely wrong colour – the meat would even appear to be old under the wrong light.

Several years ago, Fusionbrite developed the LED Rose Food series with a spectrum optimised for cut meat products. These lamps actually radiate rose-coloured light to emphasise the fresh, red colour of the meat. This way merchants could extend the shelf life of their fresh meat products and, at the same time, reduce waste.

Fish:

When it comes to fish, we distinguish between white- and red-meat fish. White fish is displayed most advantageously under cool white light. With cool white light, plaice, cod and sole look super fresh. For red fish, such as tuna, a warmer colour temperature is more appropriate. The goal is always to highlight and enhance the natural colour of the product.

Cheese, bread and pastries:

For cheese, light that is just slightly yellow, in other words warm white light, is perfect. This light colour attracts the attention and stimulates the appetite. Warm light is also right for bread. It lends the crust an extra crispy, fresh look. Avoid white light that is too warm – it will make the bread appear too brown and unnatural.

Fruit and vegetables:

For all types of fruits and vegetables, a light temperature of approximately 3000 Kelvin is recommended. This is the best light to accentuate the bright colours of most types of fruit and vegetables.

Take into account the fact that not all vegetables react similarly to light. It is a good idea to provide high-intensity light above lettuce and other leafy vegetables; this emphasises the bright, green colours. At the other side of this spectrum, though, lie the light-sensitive products – products which, as a rule, grow under the ground – potatoes, onions, asparagus, chicory and mushrooms. These products are best stored in darker conditions to prevent accelerated spoiling.

One more tip: For foodstuffs, such as vegetables, fruit, meat and fish, choose LED lighting. LED lamps do not emit UV radiation and therefore do not cause discolouration. The idea that LEDs do not generate heat is a myth; all light sources produce heat. Although, it is true that with LED lights generate much less heat than halogen lights, so there is much less risk of the food drying out.

Overview table per food category: