Hot Tea Month Survey Time!

Is there a genetic basis for hot tea preferences? Have you had your DNA tested? If so, you can help us discover the answer!.

I've chosen three genetic markers—single nucleotide polymorphisms or snps—that may modify how we experience flavors and thus our tea choices.

For example, there is a single snp change that makes you unable to smell beta-ionone, a  floral chemical that's in all Camellia sinensis teas. I have this snp change, so I cannot smell beta-ionone. I've found that the aromas of teas are not quite so flowery to me as they are to other people—this may be why.

The other two snps in the survey are in genes that influence how many taste buds you have on your tongue, so the overall intensity of flavors for you, and how you experience the smell of cut grass—a smell that is typical of green teas. 

(Note that I'm not collecting any identifying information and no IP addresses, so the results I receive will be anonymous.)

==>> The following instructions are for 23andme and AncestryDNA. If you have done one of the other DNA tests, check to see whether they offer results for the snps listed below.

Before starting this survey, go to either 23andme or Ancestry DNA, and write down your results for the following so you can insert them in the survey:

     A. Your ethnicity (areas only—don't need percentages)

     B. The results for the following snps: 

• rs227433 
• rs6591536
• rs7766902

Here's how to find your raw data concerning these snp's:

If you have completed 23andme:

1. Click on “Tools” in the header of your 23andme.com page. 
2. Scroll down to “Raw Data” and click on “Browse your data.” 
3. You will see a box with “Search your data for a specific gene or marker (SNP)
4. Type in the letter-number combinations (for example rs227433), then scroll down to find the letters entered under “Your genotype” in the table.

If you have completed Ancestry DNA:

1. Click on “Settings” on the right hand side of your AncestryDNA homepage.
2. On the right hand side, click on “Download Raw Data.”
3. Once you have entered your password in the pop-up box, you’ll receive a confirmation email and download instructions at the email address associated with your Ancestry account. You will then be able to search for a specific DNA result (for example rs227433).

Now click here for the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FHFXJ2H

Once you have completed the survey, you will see "instant results" that show you how many people like each kind of tea, etc. 

Once I have collected data from 100 people, I will be able to tell you whether there are any relationships among the results, in other words whether the snps have anything to do with tea preferences, and I'll let you know!

Thank you so much for participating!