Food sparks endless arguments. Pineapple may be bliss for some and blasphemy for others; cilantro tastes fresh to some tongues and soapy to others. As the saying goes, one person’s favorite is another’s foul. No matter your stance, here are 15 famously polarizing foods that have split dinner tables for years.
Cilantro
The debate about whether cilantro has a soapy taste has been raging for what seems like forever, but people may not realize that it’s unavoidable. When people say it tastes like soap, it’s because of a variation in their olfactory receptors. It has been linked to the OR6A2, which is known to cause an increased sensitivity to certain aldehydes. These aldehydes are found in soap and cilantro. Those who love it will put it on everything from tacos to chili because it doesn’t have a soapy taste.
Olives
Both briny and salty olives can make a great appetizer, pair well as a snack, or be added to salads and a dozen other dishes. Some people love them and put them on everything, though others can’t handle the slimy texture or the chewiness. It depends on the type of olive, though, because many people seem to prefer green ones but dislike black ones, or vice versa. Fresh olives also have a distinct taste compared to canned or processed ones.
Blue Cheese
Some people cannot stand the smell of this cheese, so they won’t attempt to eat it. Those who can stomach it but still hate it avoid it like the plague. Those who like it say that they can’t live without it. Additionally, some people dislike the smell but enjoy the taste, a phenomenon known as reverse smelling.
Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies themselves don’t inspire a lot of hate; it’s the store-bought frosted sugar cookies that you find in the middle of the aisles of stores. Some people love them and will buy them by the case, while others say they are flavorless. While they’re pretty and crumbly, some people absolutely cannot stand these sugary treats.
Oysters
These may be a boujee dish, but they are a big hit or miss. You can add a bit of hot sauce, lemon, or other additions to make them tastier, and those who love these will spend hundreds getting their fill. Others have compared them to mucus and other descriptive words. For people with texture issues, they say it’s not the look or smell, it’s the swallowing them whole that offends.
Black Licorice
Most people associate the love-hate relationship with black licorice with its distinctive smell and taste, which is a combination of anethole (smelling like anise or fennel) and glycyrrhizin, which can have a taste similar to artificial sweeteners. The combination means it’s either going to be a treat for you or you’ll want to spit it out.
Green Peppers
Green bell peppers taste a lot different from the other colors because they aren’t ripe before people pick them. Since the peppers haven’t reached full maturity, they have a harsh, almost bitter taste. However, those who enjoy the taste will put them on pizza, eggs, salads, or eat them as a healthy snack.
Mayonnaise
This is either the best condiment known to man or the bane of people’s existence. Even those who love it complain about the fat content, but they’ll put it on more than just sandwiches. Studies show that Americans like mayonnaise more than people in other countries, such as those in Western Europe or Asia, because in those regions, it’s believed that dislike for this condiment is quite strong.
Hawaiian Pizza
The Hawaiian pizza love/hate relationship comes down to one thing: pineapple. Some think it’s absolutely abhorrent and almost criminal to put this on pizza, preferring traditional flavors. Other people love the combination of something both savory and sweet. If you find yourself in a den of haters, watch out; the opinions can be extreme.
Anchovies
Anchovies get a bad rap: their briny punch, quirky texture, and tiny hair-like filaments can turn people off. Uncertainty about how to serve them pushes many diners to steer clear. Yet plenty of fans embrace their bold flavor, sliding them onto pizza or folding them into a classic Caesar salad.
Peeps
Peeps are covered in sugar and have a marshmallow center. Not a snack you’d think would cause arguments, but they do. While some people love Peeps and all of their additional flavors, others have said they’re incredibly disgusting and that they hate the stickiness. Of course, die-hard fans think this is way too harsh.
White Chocolate
White chocolate isn’t considered actual chocolate because, in some countries, it doesn’t have cocoa solids, which could explain why people don’t like it. It lacks the chocolate liquor, which comes from the cocoa nib, that in turn gives chocolate its flavor. Those who like it don’t seem to miss the ‘chocolate’ taste.
Candy Corn
In a survey, candy corn is the most hated Halloween candy. The biggest complaint is that it’s either tasteless or too sweet. People with stronger palates might enjoy the pure sugar that makes up the candy. Because it’s seasonal, people who haven’t tried it often give it a try due to its allure.
Coffee
This one might seem strange, but some people absolutely cannot stand the taste or smell of coffee. During the pandemic, the virus was reported to have affected people’s taste buds, causing individuals who had contracted it and previously loved coffee to dislike it for some time. Others love it and start every day with it.
Vegemite
Vegemite is a food that has an intense flavor that is both savory and salty at the same time. It can be off-putting to some if you’ve never had it, and it’s been described as an acquired taste. If you spread it too thick, it can be unpleasant to eat. It’s highly nutritious and rich in B vitamins, and is a favorite among Australians.
Conclusion
Food can be great or it can hit a sour note, but the consensus is that there are foods you just won’t like. Thankfully, there are thousands of ways to prepare dishes, and just as many ingredients to try until you find something you love. Which of these 15 was your favorite?
