The addition of coatings to foods is more than structural. Batters and breadings are used to enhance the whole eating experience, and perhaps even add some unexpected twist. Whether a fluffy beer batter on a piece of fried fish, a crunchy cornflake coating on an oven-fried chicken drumstick, or even a thin salt-and-spice crust on a steak, the outside is the first line of attraction for any food.
Coatings provide a variety of new flavors, texture, appearance, and mouthfeel to foods that might be good on their own, but with the addition of a little something extra, become great. A well-chosen breading, batter, or coating can add just the right touch to make a food novel, memorable, and enticing enough to become a favorite “turn to” for consumers.