Light Hearted: Foods I Don't Understand Why People Like...

[thegazelle]

Ok, I've always wanted to ask this, and I figure, in a forum dedicated to food and drink, it's a good venue.

I am, unfortunately, a very picky eater. I don't deviate much from the typical meat and potatoes. I love Canadian food, Chinese food and Italian food...that's pretty much it. I have tried a number of other foods and have a hard time convincing myself it is good...and no it is not the restaurant or the cook...

I don't want to start listing the cultural foods I don't like, but I can, in a light-hearted way, honestly tell you certain foods I cannot stomach (literally - like, I will hurl if I try these). My wife, of course, eats everything and is quite adventurous. Here's a quick list of some popular food items that many people like, but for whatever reason, the taste/smell just don't do it for me.

Caesar salad - has anyone even objectively taken the smell into account? When I was younger, I was forced, along with my brother and sister, to all ride in the back seats...well, since we were all kids, occasionally, we would barf in the car due to car sickness. I am sorry, but caesar salad smells like barf. Guess you can add parmesean cheese sprinkle to it too...how can it not smell like barf? I really think it does. That's enough of a turn off.

Lamb - my wife and I went to a Belgian/Swiss couple's house one time a couple of years ago and the husband was barbecuing lamb. I have never liked that particular taste of lamb, but I figured, most things on a barbecue taste good, right? I was wrong. Despite the fact that the BBQ taste was there, that distinct taste of lamb still was there. Being polite, I held my breath, ate it, and washed it down with whatever beverage I was drinking.

Herbs/spices (or whatever), etc. Several things that instantly make me throw up if I even try to ingest it (uncooked) - green onions, parsley, cilantro. Something about the way it tastes just does not agree with me.

Really spicy foods - I am not sure what is the point of making yourself suffer. I see people who say they love spicy food, but everything is ingested with healthy amounts of water. I sort of liken it with alcohol (which I don't drink) - it's like, if it goes down your throat nasty or you start turning red...what's the reason to continue? Seems sadomasochistic to me...

I'm sure there's something wrong with me since I see people enjoying all the above foods. Are there others out there who can agree with me? Or perhaps shed some light on why I may not like these foods and have such a physiologically violent reaction in trying to eat/drink them?

[gordholio]

Actually, hot foods are quite good for the body.

From: http://www.nutrasanus.com/cayenne.html

"First discovered in South America, cayenne, commonly referred to as chili pepper, paprika, or red pepper, can now be found growing in many regions of the world and has become popular as both a food and as a medicine. Employed by medical practitioners for centuries for its medicinal actions, cayenne has been used in connection with numerous conditions including stomachaches, cramping, gas, and some circulatory disorders.

Cayenne has been used for much of recorded history as a medicinal herb used to relieve gastrointestinal disorders such as stomachaches, cramping and gas, and other circulatory related syndromes. Today many take cayenne internally to help improve blood circulation, while others apply cayenne to the skin, as a counterirritant, to treat pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

It is also believed that capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne, may offer possible benefits for those with Fibromylagia in much of the same way it does for people suffering from arthritis pain. To relieve Fibromyalgia, a cayenne cream is applied directly to painful joints and muscles. However, using cayenne externally, as noted previously, can cause a burning sensation and is quite painful if it gets in your eyes.

Research indicates that cayenne may also be quite useful when used in connection with migraines. For migraines, cayenne is applied as an ointment to the inside of the nostrils; however, this can cause severe discomfort for some people."

PS. I drink a very moderate amount of water; usually only when I'm thirsty.

[MoonDoggy]

Doesn't eating spicy food causes a spike in andrenaline in the body?

[Anessa]

You must have a very sensitive palate then...

[UrbanPoet]

lol. i think im one of those sadomachoist whatever u said...
sometimes i plow through the spicy food not realizing the consequence...
My ass punishes me after tho....

no reason to start a thread to hate... b/c its very common for people to hate those foods..

spicy is something you love or hate.
the ceasar salad thing is weird tho... ppl usually like it
and the herbs & spice thing is common... alot of ppl hate those garnishes.

[Initial_C]

well, spicyness is often determined how much of a masochist you are. the spicier you like, the more pain you enjoy. It's true. There's no taste receptor for spice. So what you feel is actually your pain receptors telling your brain, "OW!" Guess you're not much of a masochist. ;) Also, spice tolerance levels can be built. I used to be a whimp. Probably still am. But I can take spice much better than before now that I've started eating milder spices. Once you do that, you need spicier foods to hit those pain receptors. That's why people who like spice usually are looking for the next spice level up.

As for ceasar salad... I'm half in and half out with you on this one. It depends on how strong the taste and smell is. My best friend & boyfriend make a "supposedly" awesome ceasar salad... They make their own dressing and everything. I can't stand it. It's got WAY too much garlic for me and WAY too much parmesan cheese. I don't mind a bit but there's WAY too much for me. But done in a more mild way I enjoy it usually. Though I find it a bit heavy and prefer garden salads more.

Lamb... I dunno. Some people just don't like lamb for the smell. It's not unusual. Lamb has a very distinct smell that alot of people don't like. So you're not the only one.

Honestly, I don't think anything's wrong with you. It's just your likes and dislikes. Everyone has preferences. Just cause your wife is adventurous with cuisines doesn't mean you have to be. I mean... I don't like eating licorice. Ginseng makes me barf. Mussels, clams, oysters are disgusting to me. Dried shrimp is the nastiest thing on the planet to me. See? Everyone has their likes and dislikes.

[Rehan]

Lamb - my wife and I went to a Belgian/Swiss couple's house one time a couple of years ago and the husband was barbecuing lamb. I have never liked that particular taste of lamb, but I figured, most things on a barbecue taste good, right? I was wrong. Despite the fact that the BBQ taste was there, that distinct taste of lamb still was there. Being polite, I held my breath, ate it, and washed it down with whatever beverage I was drinking. Take away the fat (before cooking) and the taste becomes much more pleasant.

[billdozer]

Balut

[duckdown]

not a fan of lamb at all either. caesar salad with loads of garlic & parmasean cheese is a WINNER though, i love that stuff

[NDman]

Durian tops my list

[Steeve Urkel]

those "thousand year old" eggs yuck me out, my friend loves to leat them with Congee and I just look at that and lose my apatite.

Also, anything with ham or roasts- yuck!

I do like bacon though, but it has to be really crispy and not mushy or greassy!

I also can't stand the smell of mcdonalds, every time I pass by there I feel like thrwing up, the smell is that bad for me- it smells like a garbage dump I swear!

I like eating mcdonald's ice cream and salads but have to get other people to pick them up for me.

Also, undrecooked pizza dough is another food I hate.
I was just in the US and had "pizza hut express" and the pizza was not cooked...I threw up right after eating-not fun!
the dough tasted uncooked and raw...:twisted:

[evoviii]

Who here has ate dog?

I think the OP is really limiting himself but then if he really has gag reactions to that many foods well that suck for him.

For me I can't get past cottage cheese even though I want to eat it for health benefits. Cheese cake gets sickening after 5th bite no matter how good.

[Muncher]

I've had great Caesar salad and horrid ones. They have to be cold, nothing more sickening than a warm wilting one.

Can't stand:

1. raw tomatoes
2. gooseberries
3. tripe
4. sour apples
5. Arby's beef
6. KFC mashed potatoes
7. boiled eggs and egg sandwiches

It's mostly the stuff I had too much of as a kid ...!

[Dr Butcher]

Wow, I think the OP would be perfect for my g/f and his wife for me.

As a kid I was super picky, but as I have grown and evolved over the last 36 years my tastes have changed dramatically.

I can agree that like that OP I hate lamb, and being adventurous, found I hate venison equally.

My parents are from traditionally European backgrounds Irish, and Scandanavian. Growing up most of our meals consisted of meat (pork, chicken, beef) a salad, boiled potatos and another veggie (broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, carrots) boiled. Boring, boring stuff....

This was what I knew, and I hated it. Once I was able to pick and choose my own meals I have slowly come to love many other cultures foods.

Caribbean cuisine- Ohh the spices, allspice, nutmeg, garlic, scotch bonnet peppers, jerk chicken, pork, rotis, doubles I still need to try more fish dishes. 10/10

Indian- wow, so many things to say but so little time. I am still getting used to some of the flavours 8/10

Hakka- it's a combo chinese/indian combination cuisines. I have hit many local joints and have fallen in love with it. 10/10

Chinese- I can't say I have really ever eaten authentic chinese food, with such a large population close to me I think I should.

Lebanese- oh, man what more can I say than wow! it's a pity there are very few good Lebanese joints in Toronto. Whenever I am in Ottawa or even Montreal I make sure to get some shawarma. Falafel, tahini, hummus, tabbouleh what more can I say... 10/10

Greek- another favourite. Garlic, hey, it's a gift from the heavens. Gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita, saganaki, taramasolata, hummus I could go on and on... 10/10

Vietnamese- just starting out in this regard. Eased in with a variety of banh mi, and will next move on to pho. I really haven't given this cuisine much of a shot so far 7/10

Japanese- just started getting into sushi, I swore I would never try it but when I have gone I have found something that I loved. I wouldn't say I 'crave' sushi but if I was to go with a friend I have enough experience now to get some pieces that I enjoy (not just California rolls) ;) 7/10

Next I am going to try and move onto some African cuisines, unfortunately in the east end I don't believe there are many African places to try out. Suggestions?

Since we live in such a multicultural country we have the opportunity that many other countries don't have, the ability to experiences so many of these cultures. Food is an easy way to get your foot in the door at the very least.

[thegazelle]

lol. i think im one of those sadomachoist whatever u said...
sometimes i plow through the spicy food not realizing the consequence...
My ass punishes me after tho....

no reason to start a thread to hate... b/c its very common for people to hate those foods..

spicy is something you love or hate.
the ceasar salad thing is weird tho... ppl usually like it
and the herbs & spice thing is common... alot of ppl hate those garnishes.

Ah, I am not starting a thread to hate foods - just wondering why I am in the minority in not liking them? Trying to see if there are others who have similar experiences. Notice the specific point in the subject saying this is a light-hearted discussion, and I am not on a rant to slam certain foods - just sharing my own perspectives and getting some feedback from others on their expeirences.

[thegazelle]

well, spicyness is often determined how much of a masochist you are. the spicier you like, the more pain you enjoy. It's true. There's no taste receptor for spice. So what you feel is actually your pain receptors telling your brain, "OW!" Guess you're not much of a masochist. ;) Also, spice tolerance levels can be built. I used to be a whimp. Probably still am. But I can take spice much better than before now that I've started eating milder spices. Once you do that, you need spicier foods to hit those pain receptors. That's why people who like spice usually are looking for the next spice level up.

As for ceasar salad... I'm half in and half out with you on this one. It depends on how strong the taste and smell is. My best friend & boyfriend make a "supposedly" awesome ceasar salad... They make their own dressing and everything. I can't stand it. It's got WAY too much garlic for me and WAY too much parmesan cheese. I don't mind a bit but there's WAY too much for me. But done in a more mild way I enjoy it usually. Though I find it a bit heavy and prefer garden salads more.

Lamb... I dunno. Some people just don't like lamb for the smell. It's not unusual. Lamb has a very distinct smell that alot of people don't like. So you're not the only one.

Honestly, I don't think anything's wrong with you. It's just your likes and dislikes. Everyone has preferences. Just cause your wife is adventurous with cuisines doesn't mean you have to be. I mean... I don't like eating licorice. Ginseng makes me barf. Mussels, clams, oysters are disgusting to me. Dried shrimp is the nastiest thing on the planet to me. See? Everyone has their likes and dislikes.

Thanks. This all came about because a large group of us went out for dinner and everyone had the caesar salad and I was the only one who refrained. I said, "doesn't that smell like barf", to which everyone was like, "no..." I swear, parmesean cheese smells like barf. My son barfs occasionally and even from far away, the first thing on my mind is, "is someone enjoying a caesar salad over there?"

[thegazelle]

Take away the fat (before cooking) and the taste becomes much more pleasant.

When our friends barbecued lamb, it was virtually zero fat - yet that steely taste was still there. I doubt I would ever be into wild game. When I was in grade 8 eons ago, we attended a school trip to a Native reservation. They served us buffalo burgers there. At first I refused to eat, but they said to me, "it's strange that as an Asian guy, you aren't more adventurous when it comes to food." I was like, "what?" Anyway, I tried the buffalo burger. It was similar to a beef burger, just less fatty/juicy and more dry. It was OK. It's been literally 20 years since I had that buffalo burger, and I haven't had a craving since.

[thegazelle]

those "thousand year old" eggs yuck me out, my friend loves to leat them with Congee and I just look at that and lose my apatite.

Also, anything with ham or roasts- yuck!

I do like bacon though, but it has to be really crispy and not mushy or greassy!

I also can't stand the smell of mcdonalds, every time I pass by there I feel like thrwing up, the smell is that bad for me- it smells like a garbage dump I swear!

I like eating mcdonald's ice cream and salads but have to get other people to pick them up for me.

Also, undrecooked pizza dough is another food I hate.
I was just in the US and had "pizza hut express" and the pizza was not cooked...I threw up right after eating-not fun!
the dough tasted uncooked and raw...:twisted:


Ok, maybe I'm not that strange after all. I love the 1000 year old dug eggs with congee...but that being said, I can understand why some people would not like them - it is borderline bitter.

Ham or roasts I will eat...it's really interesting to see the other side...I wonder if it has more to do with one's personal experiences and less with the food. Perhaps if caesar salad and lamb were served to me at a very young age, I would just be used to it by now.

Oh, here's another one - potato chips with "ranch" flavour...they smell like a dirty pair of socks.

I was reading this thread to my wife - she wholeheartedly agrees with the McDonald's bit. I tend to, since I ate there a lot as a kid, but now it is total turn off for the most part...if I was starved one night, and there was a McDonald's around, I wouldn't hesitate, but it would only be the Filet O Fish which whets my appetite.

[thegazelle]

Who here has ate dog?

I think the OP is really limiting himself but then if he really has gag reactions to that many foods well that suck for him.

For me I can't get past cottage cheese even though I want to eat it for health benefits. Cheese cake gets sickening after 5th bite no matter how good.

I agree - I am limiting myself, but the gag reflex is really real...my body physically rejects the food on injestion. And no, I'm not allergic to them. It's smell/taste that does it for me.

Agree with your cheese cake sentiment. It's interesting, because I went to CostCo last month and bought this very heavy chocolate brownie cake...it was very decadent. Anyway, after two slices of it (for my wife and I - there was about 85% of the cake left), we felt really gross...and it was a chore to finish that cake throughout the rest of that week.

[UrbanPoet]

Ah, I am not starting a thread to hate foods - just wondering why I am in the minority in not liking them? Trying to see if there are others who have similar experiences. Notice the specific point in the subject saying this is a light-hearted discussion, and I am not on a rant to slam certain foods - just sharing my own perspectives and getting some feedback from others on their expeirences.

some people are just picky eaters. Maybe its in their personality.
Maybe open minded people also have open minded taste buds.
MAybe the adventurous are more willing to plow through a Hot Indian dish.

we'll never know...

[thegazelle]

Wow, I think the OP would be perfect for my g/f and his wife for me.

As a kid I was super picky, but as I have grown and evolved over the last 36 years my tastes have changed dramatically.

I can agree that like that OP I hate lamb, and being adventurous, found I hate venison equally.

My parents are from traditionally European backgrounds Irish, and Scandanavian. Growing up most of our meals consisted of meat (pork, chicken, beef) a salad, boiled potatos and another veggie (broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, carrots) boiled. Boring, boring stuff....

This was what I knew, and I hated it. Once I was able to pick and choose my own meals I have slowly come to love many other cultures foods.

Caribbean cuisine- Ohh the spices, allspice, nutmeg, garlic, scotch bonnet peppers, jerk chicken, pork, rotis, doubles I still need to try more fish dishes. 10/10

Indian- wow, so many things to say but so little time. I am still getting used to some of the flavours 8/10

Hakka- it's a combo chinese/indian combination cuisines. I have hit many local joints and have fallen in love with it. 10/10

Chinese- I can't say I have really ever eaten authentic chinese food, with such a large population close to me I think I should.

Lebanese- oh, man what more can I say than wow! it's a pity there are very few good Lebanese joints in Toronto. Whenever I am in Ottawa or even Montreal I make sure to get some shawarma. Falafel, tahini, hummus, tabbouleh what more can I say... 10/10

Greek- another favourite. Garlic, hey, it's a gift from the heavens. Gyros, souvlaki, moussaka, spanakopita, saganaki, taramasolata, hummus I could go on and on... 10/10

Vietnamese- just starting out in this regard. Eased in with a variety of banh mi, and will next move on to pho. I really haven't given this cuisine much of a shot so far 7/10

Japanese- just started getting into sushi, I swore I would never try it but when I have gone I have found something that I loved. I wouldn't say I 'crave' sushi but if I was to go with a friend I have enough experience now to get some pieces that I enjoy (not just California rolls) ;) 7/10

Next I am going to try and move onto some African cuisines, unfortunately in the east end I don't believe there are many African places to try out. Suggestions?

Since we live in such a multicultural country we have the opportunity that many other countries don't have, the ability to experiences so many of these cultures. Food is an easy way to get your foot in the door at the very least.


I was just talking with my wife about this - she was laughing at your significant-other swap scenario... Seriously, though...she recommends if you like "shwarma" (whatever that is), she recommends a meditteranean place called Me Va Me in north Toronto/Thornhill. I've been there but only for the kabobs (beef) and the kabobs were very good. My wife loves medittereanean/middle eastern food. She just discovered sushi last year and craves it all the time. I envy her, sometimes, being able to keep an open mind and trying new things. For me, if the smell is strange or possible offensive to my senses, I certainly won't dive in and try it. There's some Chinese dishes at dim sum that smell utterly horrid (I think one is this squid dish). I almost vomit when it comes by - my son holds his nose, so I guess I am not the only one who finds the smell bad. But the rest of my immediate family digs right in...

[NorthYorker]

Seriously, though...she recommends if you like "shwarma" (whatever that is), she recommends a meditteranean place called Me Va Me in north Toronto/Thornhill. I've been there but only for the kabobs (beef) and the kabobs were very good. Congratulations on your wife's good taste. Me Va Me is amasing. Also. if you want to try a little bit "tamer" version of ME foods (a little less herbs), you can try Anton (Me Va Me is on NW corner of Bathurst/Steeles, Anton is on SE corner of same intersection).

[masterballer]

I hate picky eaters...I love everything and will try MOST things once...

[Dr Butcher]

I was just talking with my wife about this - she was laughing at your significant-other swap scenario... Seriously, though...she recommends if you like "shwarma" (whatever that is), she recommends a meditteranean place called Me Va Me in north Toronto/Thornhill. I've been there but only for the kabobs (beef) and the kabobs were very good. My wife loves medittereanean/middle eastern food. She just discovered sushi last year and craves it all the time. I envy her, sometimes, being able to keep an open mind and trying new things. For me, if the smell is strange or possible offensive to my senses, I certainly won't dive in and try it. There's some Chinese dishes at dim sum that smell utterly horrid (I think one is this squid dish). I almost vomit when it comes by - my son holds his nose, so I guess I am not the only one who finds the smell bad. But the rest of my immediate family digs right in...

I have been to Me Va Me quite a few times. It's a little out of the way for me (an east ender) but if I happen to be there I try and stop.

If your wife is ever in the mood for a falafel, you should try Tov Li which is about a block or two south of Me Va Me on the west side of Bathurst. I think it's their specialty, along with vegetarian pizzas. The falafel on a pita is very good and huge!

I fell in love with Me Va Me's hummus last year and even went to their pita supplier to pick up some pita bread. Since then I've found a recipe which is similar to their hummus, and easy to make.

I did try cod tongues out east, and frogs legs in Florida, I don't mind the occasional oyster on the half shell, but that is about as adventurous as I've ever gotten. I once ate ants but that was very unwittingly... :)

I can agree with certain foods sounding unpleasant (at least I don't think I could bring myself to eat them). Some include shark fin soup, birds nest soup, seal flipper pie.... But in the end I think the culture has a lot to do with what you eat. I couldn't do chicken feet but love lobster (cockroaches of the sea). I am sure there are many foods from the cultures I mentioned that I'd dislike, especially if it includes beans of any type.

[Xtahse]

cilantro smells so good though also it tastes good

a little bit of soy sauce + satay sauce + raw cilantro + black vinegar + a little chilli pepper = wicked dip for hot pot!!

[UrbanPoet]

i think its usually the white people as defined in my "what do canadians eat?" thread that feel this way.
The reason why is that alot of the foods yall grew up with are bland in comparison to 'foreign' food.

[duckdown]

death to onions

i cant say this loud enough

[Initial_C]

Thanks. This all came about because a large group of us went out for dinner and everyone had the caesar salad and I was the only one who refrained. I said, "doesn't that smell like barf", to which everyone was like, "no..." I swear, parmesean cheese smells like barf. My son barfs occasionally and even from far away, the first thing on my mind is, "is someone enjoying a caesar salad over there?"

well, i think i'm okay with just a little parmesan cheese but not an abundance. cheese especially is a very subjective thing. and if you're asian, it's understandable in regards to cheese. not alot of asians usually eat cheese. usually they cannot stomach the smell and is a turn-off. I'm unsure why. Maybe because it's not a regular staple in their diet usually? (ie: milk and milk products). My parents do not enjoy cheese at all. Any type. I wouldn't worry about it so much in terms of anything being "wrong" with you. However, if you do want to try some new foods so you can share with your wife, try something you already know with a SLIGHT variation on it to help open up your palate.

[sti571]

I've never understood gnocchi. To me they're gummy and flavorless little balls of dough. My pasta has to be al dente. I laugh when I see restaurants charging 14.95 for a gnocchi dish which has maybe 50 cents of flour and potatos in them lol.

[gordholio]

i think its usually the white people as defined in my "what do canadians eat?" thread that feel this way.
The reason why is that alot of the foods yall grew up with are bland in comparison to 'foreign' food.

Some foreign food tastes good, while some doesn't.
It's going to be hard to find someone who likes all types of "food".
A lot of traditional Canadian food (steak, potatoes, etc.) can be very tasty, depending on how you prepare it.
Personally, I find things like steak and potatoes to be a very hearty, warming meal. I can't say that about some foreign meals.

[impostor]

I don't understand why people like...

sushi -- raw fish and a seaweed wrapping?

calamari -- may as well eat deep friend rubber bands that were dipped in a batter which had garlic added to it

Can't think of any other commonly consumed foods that baffle me though.

[gordholio]

I don't understand why people like...

sushi -- raw fish and a seaweed wrapping?

calamari -- may as well eat deep friend rubber bands that were dipped in a batter which had garlic added to it

Can't think of any other commonly consumed foods that baffle me though.

I've had pickled herring before and really like it.

[Siefer999]

calamari -- may as well eat deep friend rubber bands that were dipped in a batter which had garlic added to it

if cooked properly, deep fried calamari can be quite tender.

[Ixidor]

What a ridiculous list!

I thought you were going to mention calimari, escargot, caviar, prarie oysters, shark fin soup and stuff like that. Maybe add dog, seaweed, raw fish, lobsters (sea garbage as my brother calls them, why else are they always on the bottom?), etc.

I've never noticed ceasar salad smells like puke.. maybe you're putting the wrong dressing on your salad?

Lamb - The one time I tried it... it tasted pretty good. I dunno, didn't taste too wild to me.

Herbs/Spices - I love onions, I'll even munch of them raw (Not whole onions, just parts), parsley I'm pretty neutral towards...

Really spicy foods - Adds a lot of character... I dunno I don't love them but I'll be damned if I don't order one every once in awhile.

[masterballer]

What a ridiculous list!

I thought you were going to mention calimari, escargot, caviar, prarie oysters, shark fin soup and stuff like that. Maybe add dog, seaweed, raw fish, lobsters (sea garbage as my brother calls them, why else are they always on the bottom?), etc.

I've never noticed ceasar salad smells like puke.. maybe you're putting the wrong dressing on your salad?

Lamb - The one time I tried it... it tasted pretty good. I dunno, didn't taste too wild to me.

Herbs/Spices - I love onions, I'll even munch of them raw (Not whole onions, just parts), parsley I'm pretty neutral towards...

Really spicy foods - Adds a lot of character... I dunno I don't love them but I'll be damned if I don't order one every once in awhile.


Thats so funny lol