Why is it that Coke tastes better in a styrofoam cup than in a waxed paper cup?

Question

I have always preferred styrofoam over paper because the Coke just seems to taste better. And just to be precise, I'm talking about Coke dispensed from a fountain, not poured from a can, which again tastes altogether different to me. Finally, I believe the size of the straw also affects the taste, because those enormously wide straws that McDonalds uses ruins the drink for me (which by the way they serve in a paper cup). So let's assume the straw is a regular sized straw. Why does styrofoam taste better?

Answer 1

Perhaps taste is not the most salient sensory variable here. I would argue that your tactile experience of the cup is influencing your perception of taste. Styrofoam is an insulation material-- as such, it is effectively "insulating" the taste of the Coke. Your experience of the Coke begins the second you pick up the cup. How would you characterize the feel of a wax paper cup containing a cold liquid vs. a styrofoam container? The wax paper cup is coated in a cold sweat, this unpleasant tactile sensation does not go unnoticed by the brain. When you sip the Coke, your sense of taste is dampened slightly as you concurrently process the tactile experience. The styrofoam cup is insulated... So, at least initally, the cup is dry and relatively unaffected by the temperature of the contained beverage. The lesser tactile stimulus frees the brian up to experience the taste more fully. Perhaps a blind taste test is in order... Can you discern a difference in taste without touching the cups?

Answer 2

It's partly the carbonation, and partly the syrup ratio. Fountain dispensed drinks probably have more water added to make the syrup go further. And here's my theory why the straw size makes a difference: Bigger straw = bigger bubbles = less soda. Regular straw = more equal parts soda and bubbles.

Now as to wax vs. styrofoam...since Coke is slightly acidic, I'm sure it breaks down the wax coating, at least slightly. Especially since most likely the cup has ice in it, it is already brittle from the ice. Styrofoam doesn't have a heat/cold factor like wax does. And since your taste buds are obviously very sensitive to the slight variations in the flavor of Coke, you are probably tasting the little bits of wax that are harmlessly in your soda. (but still - eww!)

Answer 3

Because the wax on the cup gets eroded by the acid in the Coke, which changes the taste of the soda, but styrofoam holds up better and doesn't really have a taste, so it doesn't affect the Coke and isn't affected by it.

Answer 4

because when you drink it from a waxed paper cup while your mouth is on it you can taste the wax while you're drinking the soda and some of the paper gets in your mouth and that big chunk at the edge is bothering you so you can't even enjoy your soda.

think about it.

styrafoam on the other hand has no problom besides its a little styrafoamy if you know what i mean but its more pleasant and enjoyable. its kinda like a bunch of little cotton balls with plasic rapped real tight around them.

Answer 5

It usually helps cool the drink better. It also does not shed the wax coating that lines paper cups. It is a little known, but true fact that the wax comes off in very small amounts each time you take a drink. That is why the drink probably tastes different.

Answer 6

I know what you mean,styrofoam cups with iced coke just make the drink delicious!It's one of few things in life you can't sit back,relax,and enjoy for awhile untill you snap back into the real world. = ) I love coke and pepsi!

Answer 7

Some women use a vinegar - water mixture and this pretty well removes all taste and odor. Also soak in a hot tub of water for about 2 hours before your date and repeatedly wash yourself with soap and water, then go to body bath works and purchase the clear oil labeled black currant vanilla flavor. Generously open up the lips of your passion flower and pour in the black currant vanilla oil. He will be coming back for seconds and thirds. By the way, while you are in the tub, use your razor and clean shave all hair off your pleasure palace. No man likes to feel like he is getting steel wool in his mouth. If you make this pleasant for your man, he will become sexually addicted to pleasing you this way and will keep you screamin and creamin, hummin and cummin.

Answer 8

probably because even though the paper cup is waxed it still absorbs moisture and might absorb some of the flavor of the coke (ever notice if you leave a waxed paper cup in your car overnight with liquid still inside, the cup becomes flimsy?)

Answer 9

I don't like a lot of carbonation in my Coke (which is why I always shake the bottle a few times first), so maybe the styrofoam is trapping the bubbles....?

Answer 10

There are chemicals in Styrofoam that react with the acid in the coke. It taste different in a glass also. some detergents cause the chemicals to react differently. .