When you sell food and drink products online, you face a massive problem: customers can’t taste or smell your products up close.
So, how can you give them that experience without them popping it in their gobs?
Well, your food and drink descriptions need to make people crave your stuff enough for them to stick them in their trolley.
How to make your food and drink descriptions sound tasty
Here’s how to capture the taste, aroma and texture of whatever food and beverage product you’re selling:
One. Use sensory words to describe the flavour
When describing a dish or drink, don’t just say it’s delicious.
- Instead of “spicy sauce,” try “a bold, smoky sauce with a kick of cayenne and a hint of honey”.
- Instead of “lemonade,” go for “refreshingly tart lemonade with a natural sweetness, perfect for sunny afternoons”.
Sensory words—like crisp, tangy, creamy, bold—help customers imagine the taste, which gets them one step closer to a purchase.
Use sensory language that makes their mouth start to water.
Two. Tell the story behind the product
People love products with a story.
Whether it’s your small-batch brewing process, a secret ingredient or a family recipe, these little details make your products feel special. Customers searching for handcrafted food and drink products or locally sourced ingredients want to read that in the description, so tell them.
Try This:
- “Made with handpicked tomatoes from local farms, our marinara sauce captures the essence of summer in every jar.”
- “Inspired by an old family recipe, this cold-brew coffee combines smooth richness with a hint of caramel.”
A good story adds personality to your product and makes customers feel connected to it, transforming it from just another drink into a must-try experience.
Three. Highlight what makes your product different to everyone else’s
What makes your product different?
Maybe it’s a unique flavour, a specific dietary benefit or the special way it’s made. Highlighting these points makes your food and drink stand out, especially for customers looking for artisanal food and drink, organic snacks or gluten-free options.
Try This:
- “Our iced tea is brewed with organic, fair-trade leaves and infused with hibiscus for a refreshing twist.”
- “Keto-friendly and dairy-free, our almond butter packs a protein punch Tyson Fury would be proud of, without any added sugar.”
These unique details show why your product is worth trying, helping to make it a top choice among similar products.
Four. Use power words to make buyers crave your goodies
Certain power words make product descriptions for food and drink products sound irresistible.
Words like artisan, handcrafted, rich, indulgent, refreshing, and zesty nudge customers to take action.
Try This:
- “Indulge in our rich, decadent hot chocolate, made with 70% dark chocolate for an intense cocoa experience.”
- “A refreshing, zesty lemonade with just the right balance of tart and sweet.”
These words help create an immediate craving, encouraging customers to think, I need to try this.
Five. Include the benefits of choosing your product
Whether it’s the health benefits, eco-friendly packaging or supporting small producers, give customers a reason to feel great about choosing your product.
Highlighting benefits in your food and drink descriptions will make them feel confident about their purchase, especially if they’re searching for guilt-free snacks or sustainable beverages.
Try This:
- “Made with only organic ingredients and zero added sugar, our fruit bars are a snack you can feel great about.”
- “Bottled in sustainable, BPA-free packaging, our zesty fruit smoothies are as good for the planet as they are for you.”
Adding positive details reminds customers they’re making a great decision.
Six. Create urgency with limited edition or seasonal flavours
A little urgency can go a long way, especially if you offer seasonal flavours or limited-edition drinks or snacks.
Don’t be afraid of doing it; it can create FOMO and push somebody to buy your stuff.
Try This:
- “Our popular pumpkin spice latte syrup is back this Autumn—get it before we run out (and we’re running out!).”
- “Only a few batches left of our limited-edition raspberry-jalapeño jam.”
This creates excitement and encourages customers to buy now, helping prevent “Ah, bugger it, I’ll get it later” from turning into a missed sale.
Seven. Make pairing suggestions
This is great if you sell alcohol or sauces.
Does it pair well with red meat, chicken or tofu?
Then mention it!
Creating an image of a richer meal or experience can make people drool all over their shoes and make your product part of something bigger.
Eight. Answer any FAQs customers might have
Customers shopping for food and drink online might have questions about ingredients, dietary restrictions or shelf life.
Including these details in your product descriptions can help answer questions upfront.
Try This:
- “Made with organic cane sugar and no artificial flavours.”
- “Gluten-free, dairy-free, and the great news is that you have six months to eat it.”
Answering these questions builds trust and removes hesitation, making it easier for customers to make the right decision.
Example of a full tasty food and drink product description
Put all those ideas together, and you’ll end up with something like these:
Drink:
“Our best-selling cold brew coffee is steeped for 16 hours to achieve the smoothest, richest, tastebud-tingling flavour. Each sip is made from locally sourced, fair-trade beans roasted to perfection. With notes of dark chocolate and a hint of creamy caramel, have it over ice or drink it straight from the fridge.
Stock up now—or miss out on your morning pick-me-up!“
Food:
“Our Classic Victoria Sponge Cake is a timeless favourite. Each soft, buttery sponge layer is baked golden and fluffy, then generously spread with a velvety, homemade strawberry jam and light, freshly whipped vanilla cream.
Made with organic, locally sourced eggs and real butter for that unmistakable homemade taste, our Victoria Sponge is free from artificial flavours and preservatives.
You’ll taste the subtle sweetness of pure vanilla and the burst of ripe berries— with every mouthful.
A slice of simple elegance perfect for any celebration or afternoon treat.“
And these are just the product descriptions.
Writing ad copy to sell them?
Well, that’s a different thing entirely!
Struggle to write irresistible product descriptions?
When you write engaging, detailed, and memorable food and drink descriptions, they become more than just products—they become experiences customers look forward to.
But trying these tips yourself isn’t easy.
Get them right, and your product descriptions will work their magic, bringing customers closer to savouring every sip and bite.
Get them wrong and they’ll deflate like unproved bread.
If that’s you, work with a food and drink copywriter like me.
Send an email to matt@indeliblethink.co.uk, and let’s chat about how I can help make your products sound utterly delicious.
Until then,
Matt
PS. For more tasty product help, check out How witty descriptions can increase craft beer sales.
