Clean Water & Sanitation #4 – Water Blind Tasting
Research shows that tap water is just as safe as bottled water and is often not significantly different in taste. In contrast, tap water is generally a better option, since it has a much lower environmental impact and costs considerably less. This experience is useful for working out common perceptions around the topic and discussing water drinking habits.
Perceptions at the tasting experience can be compared to the results of analytical tests on several types of drinking water, allowing participants to debunk myths and fake news regarding water quality and taste.
Age
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
Topic
- Clean water and sanitation
Duration
- Between 2-5 hours
Students’ resources
The participants (students, families, the general community, etc) can taste three different types of water (tap water and two types of low-residue bottled water available in the market at different prices). After the tasting experience, they are invited to fill out a questionnaire indicating their preference and their perceptions.
The tasting results are statistically processed (e.g. test results in terms of number of voters, % assigned to each type of water (pie chart), and choice motivations) and collected in a poster or a digital presentation.
They can be shared and made public through the school website, social media and/or a poster exhibition encouraging the benefits of sustainable drinking habits.
In many blind taste tests, bottled water was found by participants to be indistinguishable from tap water, while tap water was often the favourite one. This goes to show that many beliefs are related to preconceived ideas rather than to actual experiences or product characteristics.
Teachers’ resources
- Water blind tasting materials and procedures
- Water blind tasting questionnaire
