Eating is a fundamental activity for nutrient intake and an experience that contributes to enjoyment and well - being. While previous studies have examined the influence of sensory stimuli on flavor perception, the effect of drinking cup rim hardness remains underexplored. This study investigates how cup rim hardness affects flavor perception using drinking cup rims made of gummy and silicone rubber with varying hardness levels. A user study was conducted with 30 participants, evaluating three types of beverages under four cup rim conditions. The results indicate that cup rim hardness significantly influences certain aspects of perceived flavor perception, including comfort, aftertaste, and deliciousness, although the effect was not uniform across all conditions. Notably, harder cup rims enhanced the perception of umami and pleasantness. These findings suggest that optimizing cup rim hardness may improve the drinking experience. Future work will explore dynamic cup rim adjustments based on beverage type to enable personalized and enhanced drinking experiences.
