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Back in the day, I was a big fan of tropical fruits and, as you probably guessed, durian was at the top of my list of desires. I'd read a lot about its incredible taste and even more incredible smell. And so, after several years of dreaming, in 2018 I went to China and there, at some street diner in Guangzhou, I finally tried it... What can I tell you? Really tasty, but the absolutely hellish smell completely discouraged me not only from the taste, but also from further fascination with this kind of fruit.

In fact, there are now over 7 billion people in the world, and about the same number of taste preferences in food. What is an undoubted delicacy for many can literally turn others inside out just with its taste. And here is a special selection by Bored Panda based on a viral thread in the AskReddit community dedicated to just such foods, meals and drinks...

More info: Reddit

#1

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Black licorice. I've accepted my DNA just can't stand the stuff.

slimpawws , The Nix Company Report

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to old to care
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just don't get it - I love black licorice, always have.

WindySwede
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ever tryed salted? Don't know if it's common in other countries?

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zgillet
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to be in the mood, but usually no. Like root beer.

Maria
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It tastes so bitter to me... I don't know if it's supposed to be bitter or if it's just me... My boyfriend wanted to buy some at the store the other day and compared it to sweet anis flavour. You all, anything I'm missing here? 😅

RiceRiceBaby 929
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's the thing, all black licorice is not created equal. Some are good and some are c**p, like those nasty jellybeans.

Huddo's sister
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anything aniseed flavour is out for me! One time I accidentally touched a fennel plant, not realising what it was, and I was inconsolable until I finally managed to get the smell off my hands!

David A Paterson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love raw fennel. Black licorice does NOT taste like raw fennel. Well, not unless you pee on it first, add a pinch of sulfur, and mix it with recycled car tyres. Then it tastes like black licorice.

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Tam StaR
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't do the true Australian kind (salted, etc.) But I do love sweet black licorice!

Sleepy_Theater_Bee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love black licorice, but I know it isn't for everyone! Just give it to me if you don't like it, I'll suffer for the good of the order (lol)

Lady Lava
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yes...! And the worst is that almost everyone in my country (the Netherlands) seem to love it.

Philly Bob Squires
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the stuff! Especially the Darrel Lee Aussie liquorice! Black only!

ROSESARERED
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, no, I love it, especially the one pictured its not salty, yum

Some Weirdo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's a bad brand then that's TOTALLY understandable. Good brand ones are amazing though.

Leo Domitrix
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly wonder if this *is* genetic. My mom, big nope. Me, big nope. My dad and sis, loved it.

David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like black licorice but I have to be in the mood for it.

Michelle Carlson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband loves the Finnish licorice that, to me, is like eating a big mouthful of ammonia. It is one of the worst things I've ever eaten.

JuniorCJ82
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing to do with DNA. You have taste buds and you love yourself.

Molly Whuppie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disliked Liquorice when I was younger but now its one of my favourite tastes, so maybe its just something that requires older taste buds lol

Alexia
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG I love black licorice. Candies, cakes, gum - anything. Hard to find here because most people don't like it :(

saw & order
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love black licorice. I love red licorice. I tried a huckleberry licorice one time too, and it was so good.

Hokuloa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cannot stand licorice candy. Yet somehow that same flavor note in other things (fennel, sambuca) is fine.

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#2

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Intestines/innards of any kind and solid portions of fat on meat. One of my husband's favorite dishes is barbequed intestines (Japanese barbecue) and I can smell its appeal, but I physically can't deal with the texture. And it really saddens me because I've always wanted to eat menudo and I know the soup is bomb AF 😭. I think I have some sort of fat/chewy PTSD from when I was forced to eat gristle off of meat as a kid.

LeocadiaPualani , Krista Report

#3

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Liver the smell alone makes me sick.

anon , stu_spivack Report

Let's start, perhaps, with the main question - why do people generally differ in their taste preferences in food? Here the answer, as usual, is quite simple - it’s in our genome. In 2004, scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, showed, for example, that our smell receptors are associated with a part of the genome that has a higher number of variations than the rest of the DNA.

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And the more variations, the more differences in taste. So, literally the same steak will be perceived by two different people in completely different ways. Simply because they have different perceptions of taste at the biological level.

#4

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Raw oysters.

lsutigerzfan , Anima Visual Report

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TheGoodBoi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can eat oysters until my mind starts to think about slimy obvious things. Then I'm done, which takes about 3 oysters

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#5

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Tripe

anon , stu_spivack Report

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Nice Beast Ludo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"When they say every flavor, they mean every flavor - you know, you get all the ordinary ones like chocolate and peppermint and marmalade, but then you can get spinach and liver and tripe. George swears he got a bogie flavored one once"

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#6

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Matcha ! Just tastes like grass to me

mulberrycedar , NipananLifestyle.com Report

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Lil Miss Hobbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

100% agree. It is just blended grass. But not even good grass. Blended crappy city grass.

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Initially, this feature helped people survive. A classic example is why the vast majority of people don't like bitter tastes. The thing is that for ancient people, this taste was strongly associated with the presence of toxins in food, and therefore such food had to be spat out quickly, or even better, not eaten at all. Thousands and thousands of years have passed since then, humanity has come a long way in development, but the ancient protective mechanism remains.

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And, of course, the psychological factor plays a huge role in our taste perception of food. For example, if we were taught from childhood that some dish is tasteless or even disgusting, then dislike for it can spread into adulthood. Or, let’s say, we once had a bad experience with some vegetable or fruit (like, for example, I had with durian). But overcoming such food prejudice can sometimes be very difficult.

#7

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Beer, of any kind. It always makes me very nauseous.

LiliumLena , kazuend Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was younger, I really tried to like beer because everyone seemed to love it. Yuck. I didn’t like it. So I do not drink beer at all. Never. Hell, there are only a handful of wines I will drink. Don’t like reds, and a lot of the whites taste like vinegar. Liquor? Gin tastes like rubbing alcohol. Martinis are s**t. Bourbon is OK, but only if it doesn’t bite the back of my throat.

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#8

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Overnight oats. They're basically lumpy, cold snot in my throat first thing in the morning. I gag just thinking about adding chia seeds.

DarkDesireX , Irina Grigoraş Report

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#9

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Most definitely Brussel Sprouts. I've tried them in so many forms and yet I still hate them.

guidesthehermit , Jez Timms Report

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sofacushionfort
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They’ve been re-cultivated in recent years to eliminate the bitterness. That said, why not just eat cabbage at a fraction of the price?

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On the other hand, our culinary preferences are quite flexible - and once we try something delicious, we stick to it for the long run. In any case, all the factors that influence our perception of food can be divided into three groups: innate taste preferences, which are determined by human evolution, the physical characteristics of food (texture, temperature and whatnot) and our previous experience of interacting with this taste (or smell - sorry, I’m reminiscing about that very durian over and over...)

#12

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them I know this is a drink, but sparkling water. I like some flavors, but I can’t stand that after taste. Bleh

TruBluBritt , Pixabay Report

Perhaps some of the stories told by people in this selection will seem absolutely strange and weird to you. On the contrary, you will completely agree with some. In any case, please feel free to scroll this list to the very end, give your ‘likes’ to the most interesting submissions and for sure share your own experience of interacting with some foods or drinks. Maybe your special story will be no less tasty and delicious than the most popular meals ever!

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#13

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Octopus.

The texture just isn't for me. I want to like it. The flavor is fine, just can't get over the chewing experience.

nocksers , RDNE Stock project Report

#15

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Lamb. I tried... really

Ab1156 , cottonbro studio Report

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Lil Miss Hobbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother raises sheep so I have every reason to love it...and I don't. It's nasty.🤣

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#16

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Peeps, the Easter sugared candy. I like to think I can digest anything covered in sugar BUT NOT THAT....

Asapdustybraids , David Goehring Report

#18

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Wine. Every year I'll try it around the holidays with family and it's still gross

anon , Maria das Dores Report

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#19

Caviar .

The salty /fishy /cold/ bubble tea texture combo makes me retch . Smoked salmon too - I’m a terrible one for cold fishy amuse-bouche.

candynickle Report

#20

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Olives. I've tried many varieties. I always try them because they look like they'd be good but they're just not.

TRIGMILLION , Polina Tankilevitch Report

#22

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Beets. I just can't.

Many_Dirlam , Melissa LeGette Report

#23

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them I can’t drink egg nog. Every year I give it a shot and try to like it, but I just can’t.

cyberzed11 , Jill Wellington Report

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#24

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Tofu. I’m trying to be more health conscious and environmentally friendly with my eating habits. I’ve tried tofu several different ways, but haven;t found a flavor/style I like enough to keep eating.

WongoKnight , Polina Tankilevitch Report

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My hubby loves it. It's the texture for me. Reminds me of a kitchen sponge. Can eat it, but prefer not to. Very much not to.

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#26

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Spicy food. Never have been able to eat it.

Jazzpants51 , Peijia Li Report

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Victoria
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People conflate spicy with hot. I make spicy food but not hot as I like, when I make something to share. Coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, anise ... these are spices that won't make your food hot at all. But every time someone says spicy, they're usually talking about chili peppers.

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#27

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Eggplant!

bach678 , Zen Chung Report

#29

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Durian.

I went to a restaurant that served all the types of durian on a platter, all the way up to musang king. Hated every bite.

My fellow Asians judge me for hating it, but I refuse to be shamed. My American palate won't let me like it.

There's a reason they're banned on public transport in Asia.

c1570911 , Eugene Kim Report

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TheGoodBoi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of those things that make you wonder how they were tried in the first place. Was it a dare? Did someone say "Ooo look! A big greenish brown spike ball that smells like death! Let's cut it open and dig in!"

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#30

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Sweet potatoes

MorrisseysButcher , Valeria Boltneva Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like a nice asked sweet potato, dripping with butter and sprinkled with brown sugar. Yum. I also make a killer sweet potato casserole—-no marshmallows, but whipped sweet potatoes with a brown sugar and pecans topping. Yum.

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#31

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Raw tomatoes many times

Bourbon_Werewolf , Waldemar Report

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Blue Bunny of Happiness
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A well flavoured, ripe tomato with a sprinkle of salt is heaven. The sad excuse for a salad tomato that you get from the supermarket is not even close…

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#32

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them watermelon. i try it again when someone says "OMG this is the best watermelon," and i can tell that's it's good watermelon but i still very much dislike it. really wish i did enjoy it. EDIT: lots of suggestions for adding tajin. never heard of that but I'll give it a go! i fully believe in trying things before disliking them, and even trying different combos or variations, etc. cheers! EDIT 2: i shouldn't be, but i am surprised how many other folks dislike it. i wonder if it's genetic, like disliking cilantro (i love it), or being able to smell asparagus pee (i can, my wife can't) 

surfingonmars , Karolina Grabowska Report

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OneHappyPuppy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sister can't stand watermelon. I love watermelon but nothing watermelon flavoured, not even watermelon juice

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#33

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Any kind of mushroom, its not the texture there is always a taste that i cant do for some reason

Correct_Ad4937 , Waldemar Report

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Hey!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like white mushrooms but I have a problem with one of the other ones sold at my grocery store. Can't remember the name of it. My husband and I noticed that sometimes we liked what we were eating and sometimes not and figured it was the kind of mushrooms. I make great sliders with the Portobellos.

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#34

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Any kind of Fish and seafood. I just want nothing to do with it. The texture, the smell, none of it. Even typing this is making me gag. Don’t like turkey or lamb either tbh.

According_Ad838 , CA Creative Report

#35

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Ham. Even like, “good” ham. My parents used to make the premade hams from Walmart and it smelled like skunk and tasted weird.

midwestleatherdaddy , Сергей Орловский Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ham’s OK, though sometimes it’s way overly salted, and a lot of people don’t know some hams need to be soaked before eating to get that unbearable extra salt out of them. On the other hand, a nice pork tenderloin or shoulder roast is delectable.

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#36

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Pork. Idk i remember eating it before when i was young but one day i just don't like everything about it even the smell.

Ok_Negotiation4119 , Michelle @Shelly Captures It Report

#37

Ketchup 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

mylifeasjasz Report

#38

People Online Really Tried These 30 Foods And Drinks Before Knocking Them, But Can’t Stand Them Grape-Nuts. I hated them as a kid but as an adult I decided to try them again, thinking maybe my tastebuds had matured by then. Nope. They were still just as awful as I remembered.

kanna172014 , stu_spivack Report

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#40

Peas

Illustrious-Buddy941 Report

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Hey!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny story. One of my brothers was hosting for Christmas and wanted to know what favorite veggies my youngest son liked. Peas. So my brother bought the best canned peas ever - Le Sieur - and gave a great portion to my son. While eating my son pushed all the peas to one side and ate the rest of his plate. When my brother saw that, he asked why he was putting the peas aside. My son's response "those are not peas". Turns out, I didn't specify we had a huge garden (30' x 80') and he would walk the garden and pick-up peas and eat them as is. I thought it was hilarious. All my brothers were surprised I didn't buy canned food.

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#41

Cold cheese. Yeah I'm weird. Melted cheese is amazing though

andy89ft Report

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arthbach
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My aunt is the same. She does not like cheese, unless it is hot and bubbly. Pizza is great, as is a cheesy bubbling top on a pasta dish.

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