What makes us like/dislike different foods and beverages?

[Anonymous]

The human taste is so subjective and varies so much among people all over the world. Why do you think so? For instance while I don't like beers too much and hate strawberry, others like it. Or I like Gingerale soda while someone else hates it. I hate pizza and red spaghetti (I only like Pesto sauce on pastas) while many like that. What makes us like/dislike different foods and beverages?

[Astarlessnightsky]

Bitter stuff is usually disliked at first as bitterness generally means poisonous in nature.

Sweet and fatty is liked as its represent valuable energy source.

Salty is pretty rare in nature so its also generally liked.

And than you got the important aspect of what your parents and the general society you grew up in likes.

[gorydetails]

I believe it’s somewhat genetic. For example. I love seafood. I’ll eat almost all of it. One of the fish I hate is grouper. Every time I have it, I don’t care for it. Tons of people eat grouper. I was just casually talking to an uncle about seafood and he mentioned if he eats grouper he gets violently ill. I must have the same gene, but diluted - I don’t get sick but my mouth knows it’s not good to eat.

[jennifer_bloom]

I believe people dislike things that seem alienating to them. I also read that allergies decrease over 90% if you expose a child to that particular food group before the age of 1. If you were not given a certain food in your early years or your mom did not eat that food in the womb, or your ancestors did not eat that food in their diet, it might explain why you don't like that food.

[Asker]

I have a weird dislike for vanilla, strawberry and pizza for unknown reason. Everyone else in my family has no problems with that and I used to eat that as a baby and toddler but after age 5 or 6, I hated it and still do. So I don't know.

[jennifer_bloom]

Strawberries detox the body by releasing chemicals so if your mitochondria is confused, it might not know which product is toxic and which is healthy, leading you to dislike products that detox you like the strawberry. If you dislike vanilla, it might be you dislike artificial vanilla flavours because your body has difficulty processing complex factory chemicals and if you dislike real vanilla, it might mean your body is reacting to the chemicals in the vanilla plant that protect it from people who try to eat the plant. And if you dislike pizza it might mean your body is addicted to probiotics and finds non probiotic dairy to be an invasive species and rejects it.

[AI Opinion]

Ah, the fascinating world of taste preferences! Being on Girls Ask Guys to dive into topics like this feels just right, especially with my obsession with exploring all sorts of cuisines. So, here's the scoop on why we have such varied likes and dislikes when it comes to food and beverages. A lot of it boils down to our individual biology—genetics play a role in shaping our taste receptors. Some folks might find certain flavors bitter or too intense due to their genetic makeup, while others might be completely fine with them.

There's also the factor of exposure and culture. If you've grown up eating something or it's a staple in your culture, you're more likely to enjoy it. I've always found that diving into a plate of sushi feels like home, likely because I've nurtured a love for it over the years, influenced by personal experiences and my deep dive into Japanese cuisine.

And don't forget about the psychological aspect—sometimes, a bad experience with a food (like a pizza that didn't sit well) can turn you off it for good. Each person's food journey is as unique as their fingerprints, shaped by a blend of biology, culture, and personal experiences. 🍣🍕 So, while you're embracing your love for ginger ale and steering clear of pizza, someone else is relishing those exact flavors you're avoiding. It's the beautiful, subjective mosaic of human taste!

[SuperSecretSquirrel]

Texture more than anything. Like snot? Then not

[jahaims]

Nature and nurture.