What is a 'double blind' taste test ?

Question

Obviously a 'blind' taste test is where the tasters are blindfolded...

Answer 1

No... not necessarily blind folded.

A blind tasting is where the taster doesn't know the important facts about the sample. They'll know they're eating chicken, but not the sauce on the chicken (see example below).

Double-Blind is were the the taster and the server don't know what or whose dish they are serving.

The idea is to eliminate/minimize any clues or bias a server may have when giving out the sample.

For example, for a bbq sauce tasting. The tasters may know they're eating chicken, but not the brands (if that's what's being tested). The taster is "blind" to the brands. Hence the term "blind taste test".

Also, some tastings are done where the taster sits in a cubicle and there is a sliding partition where the sample is placed. The server places the sample in the partition and rotates it around to the taster. This eliminates any contact between the two. Again so the taster isn't biased by any cues from the server.

Answer 2

Double Blind Taste Test

Answer 3

Double-blind describes an especially stringent way of conducting an experiment, usually on human subjects, in an attempt to eliminate subjective bias on the part of both experimental subjects and the experimenters. In most cases, double-blind experiments are held to achieve a higher standard of scientific rigour.
In a double-blind experiment, neither the individuals nor the researchers know who belongs to the control group and the experimental group. Only after all the data are recorded (and in some cases, analyzed) do the researchers learn which individuals are which. Performing an experiment in double-blind fashion is a way to lessen the influence of the prejudices and unintentional physical cues on the results (the placebo effect, observer bias, and experimenter's bias). Random assignment of the subject to the experimental or control group is a critical part of double-blind research design. The key that identifies the subjects and which group they belonged to is kept by a third party and not given to the researchers until the study is over.

Answer 4

You're on the right track... in a "double blind: test, not only are the testers unaware of what they are getting, but so are the persons who give the test items to the testers. That way, there is no way that the persons handing out the test materials can influence the outcome by facial expressions or other intentional or unitentional means.

Answer 5

I think you should use a salt free soda cracker. That way you will be tasting the vegemite and marmite, and not the salt from the cracker. It'll give you the best indication of what you like best.

Answer 6

I like taste tests.
We always did that with the kids at supper time.
I remember once with about 6 different kinds of apples. We got our favorites down to a couple.