I hadn't thought about it quite this systematically, but the shape of the drinking vessel changing the experience of the drink makes a great deal of sense. I like fine china cups for good tea but for my standard cuppa – the cheap earthenware mug with the Guildford Banjo Jamboree logo is comfortably familiar and brings back happy memories.
Further to our visual sense affecting the gustatory experience – do you remember those 'dining in the dark' restaurants that used to be a thing? Diners commented on how their perception of what they were eating was radically changed by the lack of vision.
In German there's a saying 'Das Auge isst mit' – The eye eats as well.
The Guildford Banjo Jamboree sounds like a lot of fun. It's funny how we grow such fond attachments to drinking vessels. It must be because of the sensory experience because we, from what I can gather, don't seem to get as attached to our plates.
And yes, I remember those dark dinners - quite an interesting sensory experience. Can't say I ever went to one. I would definitely feel anxious eating something I couldn't see. And then there's the mess of searching around for the food in the dark, like toddlers eating with their fingers and missing their mouths, haha.
Also, yes. I have thought at length about the impact of cups on taste. I like my tea strong and black and always try to drink it in a cup that's white on the inside. It's much more full-bodied that way. Dark coloured cups weaken the flavour big time! For real!!
That's good to know. I, by pure chance (or a subconscious one), only have lightish coloured teacups, so I'm in safe territory. The brain is a funny thing, isn't it!
While writing this, I read that the inside of the teacup should also be as smooth as possible so the flavour doesn't get trapped in the pores :)
All this and we haven't even started on the actual cultivation and preparation of the actual tea and coffee, haha.
So interesting! It all makes perfect sense (no pun intended), and explains a lot about favorite coffee mugs I've had over the years. When one of those breaks, there is the feeling of having lost a friend, unlike smashing a random plate, for example. Thank you for a fascinating and mind-flexing trip into the multi-faceted world of why some things are like they are, and why others aren't.
Thank you for mentioning God Bless You, Jacob in your your post—I’m grateful, Alia!
You're welcome Paul. It's a beautiful poem well worth sharing. And thank you kindly for the restack.
I hadn't thought about it quite this systematically, but the shape of the drinking vessel changing the experience of the drink makes a great deal of sense. I like fine china cups for good tea but for my standard cuppa – the cheap earthenware mug with the Guildford Banjo Jamboree logo is comfortably familiar and brings back happy memories.
Further to our visual sense affecting the gustatory experience – do you remember those 'dining in the dark' restaurants that used to be a thing? Diners commented on how their perception of what they were eating was radically changed by the lack of vision.
In German there's a saying 'Das Auge isst mit' – The eye eats as well.
The Guildford Banjo Jamboree sounds like a lot of fun. It's funny how we grow such fond attachments to drinking vessels. It must be because of the sensory experience because we, from what I can gather, don't seem to get as attached to our plates.
And yes, I remember those dark dinners - quite an interesting sensory experience. Can't say I ever went to one. I would definitely feel anxious eating something I couldn't see. And then there's the mess of searching around for the food in the dark, like toddlers eating with their fingers and missing their mouths, haha.
Also, yes. I have thought at length about the impact of cups on taste. I like my tea strong and black and always try to drink it in a cup that's white on the inside. It's much more full-bodied that way. Dark coloured cups weaken the flavour big time! For real!!
That's good to know. I, by pure chance (or a subconscious one), only have lightish coloured teacups, so I'm in safe territory. The brain is a funny thing, isn't it!
While writing this, I read that the inside of the teacup should also be as smooth as possible so the flavour doesn't get trapped in the pores :)
All this and we haven't even started on the actual cultivation and preparation of the actual tea and coffee, haha.
Interesting! I didn't know that about smoothness!
You will have to do a part 2 on brewing. I'm here for it.
Oh, that would probably end up being a 10-part series, haha.
Aw thanks for the shout out Alia!
You're most welcome. I'm still laughing (and very glad your heart escaped such a close call).
So interesting! It all makes perfect sense (no pun intended), and explains a lot about favorite coffee mugs I've had over the years. When one of those breaks, there is the feeling of having lost a friend, unlike smashing a random plate, for example. Thank you for a fascinating and mind-flexing trip into the multi-faceted world of why some things are like they are, and why others aren't.
You should totally intend that pun, haha :)