What is ‘flavour fatigue’? 3 Mothership colleagues share their ‘symptoms’.

There’s been a malaise going around recently, infecting everyone in the Mothership office.

No it’s not a variant of the flu (touch wood), but something called “flavour fatigue”.

Perhaps you too, have been afflicted.

Although it’s a term more commonly used in the arena of performance sports, we’d wager that even regular people get it too.

It usually involves one feeling lethargic or indecisive when deciding what to eat or drink, or feeling overwhelmed with boredom while imbibing the same ol’ foods or beverages.

Its effects can even lead to food or flavour aversions for some.

Ilyda, who claims to have had the condition for as long as she can remember, shared how her parents would buy fishballs and youtiao as a treat after every tuition session when she was in primary school.

“One day, I decided I couldn't eat it anymore. Even today, I can't stomach fishballs or youtiao. It's literally been 20 years at least.”

On the flip side, others might also go all out in an attempt to excite their taste buds once again.

Ruth, who admits to needing diversity in her food and drink, shared that she actively seeks new places and sometimes goes out of her way to satisfy cravings, like when she travelled from Nanyang Technological University to Tanjong Pagar just for a specific food.

“I would have a lot more free time if I could get a variety of tastes in one place.”

Based on Ilyda’s experience, there’s also a risk that in its latter stages, food fatigue might make your taste buds numb-er than an ex’s response to your “How are you?” texts.

Fight the flavour fatigue

More than one person in the office also revealed that coping with this undeniable First World problem has become a drain on their emotions.

“I keep buying bubble tea or something to let the sweetness of pure syrup drown my taste buds… If only there's a way I can scratch this unbearable itch, so that just like my work in Mothership, I can experience something different every day and get out of this dreaded routine of sugar, spice and everything not nice,” said Isaac, who stresses about what to eat on an all-too-regular basis.

But what if there were a way to beat “flavour fatigue” — at least when it comes to drinks — and with little effort?

Enter “What the Cup!”.

Those in the know would realise that it is actually a partnership between Pepsi and Tao Bin, a well-known series of smart vending machines in Thailand.

In Singapore, “What the Cup!” has over 40 machines spread across the island, from Causeway Point to Tampines interchange and even at Singapore Management University.

In fact, you may have come across one already.

Perhaps the real magic of “What the Cup!” though, lies in its ability to produce a staggering variety of over 300 drinks — that's nearly a new drink to sample every day of the year.

From coffees and teas (both hot and iced) to smoothies, sodas and fruit-based drinks, the selection is honestly mind-blowing.

You can also elevate your drink by customising it just the way you like it - whether that’s experimenting with different flavours, choosing from five sweetness levels, adding fun toppings, or even all of the above.

Some of the eye-catching options include local flavours, such as the Milo Smoothie Volcano, a refreshing-sounding Iced Lychee Americano, as well as iced drinks and smoothies flavoured with the exotic salak, or snake fruit.

There are also classics such as Taiwanese milk tea, matcha and hojicha lattes, not forgetting Thai milk tea, all available hot — a lifesaver in Singapore’s aircon-induced sweater weather.

We probably don’t need scientists to tell us that trying something new is a surefire way to get your taste buds excited again.

What’s more, with “What the Cup!” robot barista working 24/7, shaking up your regular routine to combat flavour fatigue is easy – all at the touch of a button.

Be sure to try one yourself when you see it.

Writing this What The Cup!-sponsored article made the writer crave for the hoijicha latte from the machine.

Top image by Mothership.