Scientists believe that slurping can actually enhance the enjoyment of food, making it more delightful to savor.
Slurping noodles or soup might be considered rude or inappropriate by Western standards at the dining table. However, slurping noodles is a polite way to express enjoyment and appreciation for the cook’s skills in many Asian cultures.
Despite the cultural differences between Western and Eastern societies, where slurping might be seen as impolite in one country but respectful in another, researchers reveal that slurping actually makes food taste better.
Slurping actually makes food taste better.
Josef Youssef, a culinary researcher, states: “Studies have shown that slurping, in some ways, enhances the experience.” Youssef and an expert from Oxford University, Charles Spence, conducted a survey involving 207 Western participants tasting vegetable-flavored soup. They were served soup in cups or bowls with spoons, at two different temperatures. The participants were asked to sip and rate the soup, then to slurp and rate it again.
The researchers found that participants preferred eating soup from cups rather than bowls, and the flavor was perceived as richer when slurped. The results of this survey were published in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, stating: “The study shows that the soup is perceived to have a significantly richer flavor when slurped.“
One reason participants felt the soup tasted richer when slurped may be that food evaluation is not solely related to taste but involves all five senses.
Our sense of smell tells us how good a dish is.
Taste is a limited sense, as it can only truly identify bitterness, sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and umami in various cooked meats. Most people believe that the perception of whether food is delicious is determined by taste, but in reality, it stems from our sense of smell.
Youssef explains: “Our sense of smell tells us how good a dish is.” Smell is the organ through which humans perceive aromas. Vision also plays a crucial role in the dining experience. Consider the pleasure of seeing a well-arranged plate compared to the disappointment of a messy table setup. Sound also significantly influences food evaluation.
In many cases, sound (auditory) also combines with sensation to enhance your experience of food. The act of slurping soup stimulates all five human senses, making our bodies feel more satisfied while eating.
Additionally, the flavor of the food when slurping is also enhanced by other factors. By slurping, you can inhale more oxygen into your mouth, which may alter the flavor of the dish. Wine tasters often inhale air while sipping, as it can change the flavor profile. Slurping also allows you to consume soup at a higher temperature, which can affect the flavor or even the viscosity of the liquid.
The flavor of the food when slurping is also enhanced by other factors.
The rise of restaurants serving pho and other Asian cuisines in Western countries has recently diminished the taboo surrounding slurping food in these nations. Clearly, research has shown that slurping makes food taste better. Youssef concludes: ‘Clearly, we should slurp the soup we are enjoying.’
