Just One Pre-Meal Drink Can Change How Food Tastes, Study Finds
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
A study by researchers from the University of Oxford and Alexandru Ioan Cuza University tested 257 adult diners and found that a small alcoholic drink before a meal can increase satisfaction with a dish. Participants who had a sip of alcohol before their soup rated overall satisfaction higher (76 vs. 68 out of 100), and gave higher scores for flavor (79 vs. 72) and freshness (79 vs. 73). Many reported the same soup tasted sweeter after the drink; researchers suggest alcohol suppresses bitterness, enhancing perceived sweetness. Professor Charles Spence described alcohol as acting like a palate cleanser (팔레트 클렌저: course- or bite-clearing food or drink), both physically removing lingering tastes and psychologically relaxing diners to focus more on flavors. Lead author Dr. Georgiana Juravle noted small amounts of alcohol in controlled settings can be a tool to sharpen taste perception.
