My love affair with cooking videos began with Tasty. Tasty, run through Buzzfeed, has exploded in popularity on social medias like Facebook and Instagram. Other websites and blogs have also now joined on the online trend, and they never seem to go away. I know very few people who do not watch these with fervor, chefs and microwave ramen-experts alike. So I decided to break down, according to myself and a few friends, why we are all addicted to these minute specks of food.

1. We all want to be Instagramable

I mean, in our generation, we really love our artistic side. And what better way to show off that we are living well than with famously beautiful food. Now, of course, we could go to a fancy restaurant and take a picture of your food. But going out, being in public with clothes on, and paying for the food and gas is a hassle to do all the time. So why not just pick up a couple of things at the grocery store before you make it or in your pajamas and make it? Plus, the bragging rights are wicked.

2. The videos are so simply colorful

I have to see, I haven't seen a recipe that isn't completely enticing through color alone. You could make a sheepshead colon spring salad and I would probably still watch it if it was colorful enough. Of course, this is mainly great marketing at play, but let's be real, what are they selling? They are selling views, which is easy to do considering it is one of the biggest trends on the internet right now. And their colors bring us in, with joy.

3. The large population of youth on social media doesn't know how to cook

Can we be real here for a second? Most of the people on social media like Instagram and Facebook are twenty-five years or younger. We obviously still have a lot to learn when it comes to everything, especially cooking. This is one of the most understandable ways our generation can digest interesting techniques while not being overloaded by text or over-explanation. For visual learners, these videos are a godsend.

4. Easy to follow directions

The simple layout and length of each video allow people my age able to understand the video in a short amount of time without being overloaded by instructions. Most of the time, people over-explain things in order to sound more knowledgeable or expert, but in these videos, the only thing you hear at the end is "oh yeah!". So, oh yeah, let's get cooking!

5. Playback

There are many ways to learn a recipe. One is a cookbook, where it is very clunky at times and losing your page might mean you losing your life. You could always print a recipe, but papers are too flimsy and easily ruined, plus printing is always a hassle (always). Your phone or tablet never stay open to just a page. But a video? That will stay open, and keep replaying until you finally get it down, usually with some cute music in the background to help. Also, you already probably hold your phone while doing everything, why would cooking be different?

6. Shareability

Sharing recipe is a huge part of our species communication throughout centuries. Written recipes can get lost, however, and printing online ones can be a hassle. Also, using the mail takes way too long. Emails seem too professional most of the time as well. Sharing a video with someone you care about will not only allow them to see the recipe you want to participate in, but allows them to show that you are thinking about them at the same time at that instant.

7. Uniqueness

I have never heard of half of the recipes on these short videos, none the less anyone eating them at the most hipster restaurants. The teams for these recipes mix classics with new and ingenious ingredients in a seamless fashion. I am never let down by their new videos, and the clarity of the videos is refreshing as well.

8. Destressing

Unlike many online videos, these videos are made to help us relax. Their clear-cut instructions are interesting and easy to follow, but also fun to watch. They aren't trying to sell you anything, they aren't negative, and they are not emotionally charged. Also, most people (and not all) can enjoy seeing food being made as if it was being made for them.

9. "Let's see delicious food while pretending we actually want to make it."

The joy of being able to say "I will make that" but knowing you won't is a deep-seated secret one. We all do it. Whether it is the lack of ingredients, the lack of motivation, or the lack of ability, we usually do not end up making anything that we see online. But knowing that we can, sometimes, is a relief in itself. But you are lying to yourself, admit it.

10. Finding new cultural foods

Now that the trend has spread on the international social media platforms, many people around the world have begun their own interpretations. Many of the international Buzzfeed teams have started their own Tasty videos. My favorite is "Tasty Miam" because their pastries and meats look simply decadent and very easy to do. Again, I fall into the common trap of thinking I can make them. One day!

11. That end shot

That last shot on every video where the final product is cut into, and whatever good is in the food oozes out or put onto a perfect silverware piece, disappearing, is what I am talking about. That satisfaction, be is subconscious or not, is rewarding after seeing the whole process. It sort of makes you want to watch it again, which is exactly what they want.

Sometimes, it is okay to be tethered to the machine, if it is enjoyable and healthy. Videos like this can stimulate creativity, positivity, and thoughtfulness all over a desolate wasteland of social media at times. So go ahead, watch that red wine pasta video five times. I am not going to judge you.