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Double Blind

Chapter 4: The Adventure Kit

Double Blind

"A blind test helps us not to guess."

Two characters wearing blindfolds holding taste-test spoons.

About this page

Blindfolds on, spoons up, page 58 turns one of science's cleverest tricks into a giggle-worthy game. When tasters cannot see what they are eating, their eyes cannot talk them into an answer, so only the real flavor counts. That is the whole idea behind a blind test, keeping our sneaky expectations from changing the results. Researchers call those expectations bias, but kids just call it being fooled by your eyes. It makes a wonderful follow-up activity at home, and pairs naturally with the taste-friendly ideas in these kitchen science experiments. Just add applesauce and a scarf.

Talk about it while you color

  • What two foods would you want to taste-test with a blindfold on?
  • Do you think the blindfolded tasters will guess right, and why?
  • How does food seem different when you close your eyes while eating it?