Do drinks taste better on a plane?

According to a 2016 study by a group of Cornell researchers published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, tomato juice, AKA the main ingredient in a Bloody Mary, tastes better in the air due to the noise level on an airplane, which influences a human's perception of taste.



People Also Ask

It's been proven time and again that our taste buds act a little differently when we fly. This is because the drier air and cabin pressure can dull our sense of taste and smell, making certain food and drink taste a bit different than they do on the ground.

MORE DETAILS

A study by Cornell University revealed our sense of taste – specifically sweet and umami (savoury) flavours – is impacted by noisy environments like aeroplanes. This is just one of the reasons why you'll find that a strongly flavoured savoury dish like a curry tastes much better than a strawberry cheesecake.

MORE DETAILS

The combination of lower pressure and lower humidity inside an airplane cabin accentuates wine's acidity and alcohol. A refreshing wine at sea level suddenly tastes a bit “off” when sipped in the air.

MORE DETAILS

The dry cabin air messes with our odor receptors, and since things taste differently when our sense of smell is impaired—think about eating when you have a cold—food tastes blander on a plane than it does on the ground. That same principle is what makes tomato juice taste better in the air.

MORE DETAILS

It's been proven time and again that our taste buds act a little differently when we fly. This is because the drier air and cabin pressure can dull our sense of taste and smell, making certain food and drink taste a bit different than they do on the ground.

MORE DETAILS

Salt is suddenly perceived as 20-30% less intense, whilst the intensity of sugar drops by 15-20%. Tomato juice tastes better on a plane because the strong, natural flavours of tomato juice taste more intense and satisfying when your taste buds are being suppressed by cabin pressure.

MORE DETAILS

To be extra safe, the CUNY researchers advised people never to drink water onboard a plane that does not come from a sealed bottle. They also said passengers should not drink coffee or tea brewed on their flight, and that they should even use hand sanitizer instead of washing their hands with onboard water.

MORE DETAILS

It should come as no surprise that the healthiest thing to drink on a plane is water, which also happens to be the healthiest thing to drink on land. Inside an airplane cabin, the air is extremely dry, putting you at heightened risk of dehydration. That can lead to nausea, headaches, and other unpleasant outcomes.

MORE DETAILS

That's why some people turn to tomato juice. Because tomato juice typically has a tartness and added spices, making the juice taste more flavorful than most drinks when in the air.

MORE DETAILS

Eric Rimm, an associate professor of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, tells Health Magazine: Since there's less water in your blood when you're dehydrated, the concentration of alcohol will be slightly higher, leading to quicker intoxication and increased potential for a hangover. Still, many a ...

MORE DETAILS

Under the low cabin pressure, our taste detectors and sense of smell are completely different. Whilst on the ground tomato juice, such as V8 Original, is a savoury delight. However, once in the air it becomes an instantly sweet and fruity drink – the perfect, refreshing treat on a long-haul flight.

MORE DETAILS

The ovens on an aircraft are specialized convection ovens with food heating using hot air. Microwaves are not used (although some early 747s did have them onboard). The meals are loaded on trays into the oven. Most meals take around 20 minutes to heat, and of course, they are heated and served in batches.

MORE DETAILS

It's Diet Coke. Simply put, it takes a long time to pour because air pressure means there is more fizz when the can is opened. And when you have a flight full of passengers eager to order a drink, it can become frustrating for cabin crew who have to put up with the whinging and whining.

MORE DETAILS

“Most sodas have over 30 grams of sugar per can, so drinking one or more sodas during your flight will contribute to jet lag and dehydration.”

MORE DETAILS