# Confronting Various Quality Perspectives of Paper Straws--Case Study with Generation Z
## 3 Results and Discussion
### Effects of Paper Straw Diameter on Sensory Perception  
The results of several sensory difference tests conducted did not indicate any meaningful effect of paper straw diameter on the perception of the soft drink samples used in the experiment. The only exception was the perception of 'viscosity.'  
The two overall difference tests (#1 and #2) did not show that the use of straws can lead to differences in the way the soft drink can be perceived (\(p<0.05\)). Of the 60 responses obtained in each of the two test sessions conducted with apple and orange soft drinks in Test #1, the sample with the \(\mathcal{O}6\) straw was selected by 33 assessors, and the sample with the \(\mathcal{O}10\) straw by 27 assessors in both cases. From the number of consensual responses (33), it can be concluded that there is no statistical difference between the effects of \(\mathcal{O}6\) and \(\mathcal{O}10\) paper straws on the change in sensitivity to the stimuli produced by the same soft drink, even at \(\alpha=0.20\) (allowing for a reduction in \(\beta\)-risk and \(p_{d}\)). No difference was found in the overall perception of the beverage samples when tasted with paper drinking straws of the two selected diameters. The results of Test #2 also showed that the use of paper drinking straws with the selected diameters had no effect on the overall perception of the soft drink used. There were 30 correct responses in the \(\mathcal{O}6\) paper straw test and 27 correct responses in the \(\mathcal{O}8\) paper straw test, out of a total of 60 in both cases. Thus, the proportion of correct responses in both cases was significantly higher (\(\alpha=0.05\)) than the chance probability of one in three. This indicates that the assessors were able to identify the reference sample among the coded samples and that the use of a paper straw did not affect the sensitivity to the perception of the soft drink tested.  
Testing for differences in sweetness, sourness, overall flavor, viscosity, and pungency was conducted by 61 assessors using the ranking method in a complete block design. The four selected paper straws with diameters of \(\mathcal{O}6\), \(\mathcal{O}8\), \(\mathcal{O}10\), and \(\mathcal{O}12\) mm differed significantly (\(p<0.05\)) only with respect to 'viscosity.' The perceived intensity of the viscosity of the soft drink tested was significantly higher when using the \(\mathcal{O}6\) straw than the \(\mathcal{O}10\) and \(\mathcal{O}12\) straws. This could be due to the greater force required to push the liquid into the mouth through the narrower straw than with a larger diameter straw. There were no statistically significant differences between \(\mathcal{O}8\), \(\mathcal{O}10\), and \(\mathcal{O}12\) straws in terms of effects on the perception of the soft drink 'viscosity.' [PERSON] et al. [6] studied the effects of five different straw materials (plastic, paper, copper, stainless steel, and silicon, with an inner diameter of 6 mm) on sensory responses toward cold tea beverages. In evaluating the overall flavor, bitterness, sourness, sweetness, and astringency intensities of the tea samples, the different types of straw materials used were not found to significantly affect sensory responses. A significant difference was found only in terms of sourness and only between silicon and copper (with slightly higher ratings for the former).