Over the past decade, the use of “crispy” and “crispiness” in Yelp restaurant reviews has jumped by 20 percent in the U.S., according to data floating around from folks like Bon Appétit who’ve dug into the trend.
It’s not just random chatter either as it reflects how much people obsess over texture in food. “Crispy” isn’t just a buzzword, guys, it’s a sensory hook.
Studies from way back, like Alina Szczesniak’s work at General Foods in the ‘50s, show crispiness is a big deal psychologically as it keeps you eating, triggers that satisfying crunch sound and signals freshness or quality. Yelp’s a goldmine for spotting this shift because it’s where people gush (or gripe) about their meals in real time.
Why the uptick? It seems that part of might be cultural. We have fried chicken sandwiches, potato chips and all sorts of crispy innovations that continue to have moments.
Social media amplifies it as well with those viral food pics where the crisp factor is front and center. Plus, restaurants are engineering it on the daily! Chefs tweak batters or frying techniques to hit that texture sweet spot and diners notice.
On Yelp, “crispy” often pops up praising wings, fries, or even fancy stuff like “inverted crispy pork skin” from high end spots. It’s less about the word itself and more about what it promises…We all want that bite that delivers!
The Social Pie Network! 