Black mug or white mug?
According to an article published in 2014 the color of your coffee mug had an influence over the taste of the coffee.
The article states that because we “eat with our eyes first” the coffee in white mugs tastes better because the richness of the coffee is enhanced by the contrasting color. People who drank the exact same coffee in the black mugs claimed the coffee tasted bitter.
I chose to do a little experiment for myself this morning.
I had the exact same coffee in three different mugs, to up the ante so to speak. The coffee had the exact same yummy taste in all three mugs. It could be that I didn’t do a blind taste test, however, I mostly wanted to see if since I “eat with my eyes first” if there was any significance to the coffee looking bitter in the black mug or the two-tone mug. Nope. The coffee looked delicious in all three mugs. Also, I take my coffee with cream and sugar so it looks appealing in the black mugs as well in the white and two-tone mugs. That could enhance the “flavor” in all mugs.
For me, coffee is an experience and it’s all about the mug not the color. I have certain moods for certain mugs. I’ve learned over the years what coffee origin I like, what roast I like and what coffee maker I like so the coffee, for the most part, is very consistent and the flavor is as well.
What changes are my moods and what mug I want to use depending on mood.
Someday I think it would be cool to be in a coffee study so until then, I’ll continue to drink my yummy coffee from any color mug that fits my mood and I am sure it will not taste bitter.
Rus
I’ve found more that the flavor of the coffee is different not with the color of the mug bit in its construction (materials, design, etc). A hotel paper cup is not going to be the same as my favorite mug at home, but it may evoke special memories.
CoffeeFitnessUnicorn
Omg 😳 yes!! Coffee in a paper cup is awful. It needs to be ceramic for sure.
Kristi
I’m a mood coffee mug drinker too! Some days I feel a certain way and if I can’t find a coordinating mug the coffee isn’t as good lol
CoffeeFitnessUnicorn
Yay!! Mood drinking. 😂 Mug life is for real 🤣🤣
Gail
You could call it mood or in my case, memory mugs. My mugs trigger fond or often poignant memories. I have my Laurel Burch Sea Goddess mug from 1989. A gift from a co-worker/friend (who I did an intervention for,) is in perfect condition. It is a reminder to me, to appreciate the beauty of friendships.
Another mug, my father gave me is a TIKI mug bought at Knott’s Berry Farm in the ‘60s. It was for our hot chocolate with those wonderful small marshmallows on cold days. And then the statement mug from my ex-fiancé “all this and brains too”. Yes! It is so ! Lucky me(as it turns out). Dodged a bullet!
And so the memories slide along from mug to mug.
CoffeeFitnessUnicorn
Yes!! Love the memories associated with the mugs.
I need to find out who the hell did this study: who were the test subjects and the testers?!
Gail
How they conducted the study too! Was there a control population, data gathering, standard deviations…or was it done in someone’s kitchen or restaurant!!
CoffeeFitnessUnicorn
Riiiiight. I couldn’t find anything newer than 2014. I remember my buddy telling me about the study but never thought anything more about it. Then I was drinking from my Poe mug when it popped into my head a few weeks ago. And now the spiral 🌀 begins…
Tanya
Have only two mugs at the office but when I’m at home, I choose the mug that matches what I’m feeling as well! Didn’t really give it much though until now! Thank you for that 🥰
K.S.
I’m also in the “mood mug” camp. My Shakespeare Insult mug is reserved for Mondays for obvious reasons. If I’m feeling in a science mood, I use my Disappearing Dino mug (dinos in full glory when it’s cold, skeletons when it’s hot). This can also double as a bad mood mug since I get to cause a mass extinction event in one pour (but they always come back, so it’s not murder!). And if I’m in need of a confidence boost, it’s the vaguely sinister mermaid mug. Plus, I’m like you: I always take cream in my coffee, so there’s a nice contrast in a black mug.
I too want to know who did this study. I have a feeling it was a ceramics cabal with stakes in white mugs and not a serious coffee group.
CoffeeFitnessUnicorn
Love it.
And I’m dying about the ceramics cabal 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Christy
I rotate through a collection of mugs depending on my mood. I don’t think I even own a black mug!