Does the Shape of the Drinking Receptacle Influence Taste/Flavour Perception? A Review
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Assessing the Role of Culture and Congruency on the Impact of the Drinking Receptacle
2.1. On the Shape of the Wine Glass: Physico-Chemical Explanations for the Impact of Glassware
2.2. How Receptacle Shape Influences Taste/Flavour Ratings
2.3. Crossmodal Correspondences between Shape Properties and Taste/Flavour
3. Conclusions
Directions for Future Research
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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1 | Though it should be noted that in the case of glassware for beer, the shape may be as much about assuring a good head (i.e., optimizing eye-appeal) as it is enhancing the aromatics (see Agnew, 2015 [4]). |
2 | That being said, changing the receptacle in which a drink is presented can, on occasion, be used to increase sales. Just think, for instance, about the so-called Latin gin revival that has taken place in recent years. This has been closely linked to a change in the glassware that this drink is typically served in. Specifically, the distinctive Copa de balon glass (looking like a heavy-bowl shaped red wine glass, Willis, 2015 [13]; see Spence & Wan, 2015 [14], 2016 [15], for reviews) normally associated with one category (i.e., wine) has, in this case, been adapted for use by another (i.e., gin). |
3 | Note here that many people, including experts, have been shown to confuse sweetness and fruitiness when evaluating beverages, e.g., sparkling wines (see Harrar, Smith, Deroy, & Spence, 2013 [37]). |
4 | This does, though, raise the question of whether any of the differences in drinking behaviour might not be attributable, at least in part, to any differences in the multisensory tasting experience that result from the change in the form/shape of the glassware. |
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Spence, C.; Van Doorn, G. Does the Shape of the Drinking Receptacle Influence Taste/Flavour Perception? A Review. Beverages 2017, 3, 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages3030033
Spence C, Van Doorn G. Does the Shape of the Drinking Receptacle Influence Taste/Flavour Perception? A Review. Beverages. 2017; 3(3):33. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages3030033
Chicago/Turabian StyleSpence, Charles, and George Van Doorn. 2017. "Does the Shape of the Drinking Receptacle Influence Taste/Flavour Perception? A Review" Beverages 3, no. 3: 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages3030033