What is a food you hate, but everyone else seems to love?

[Duke Bushido]

21 hours ago, Pariah said:

Coffee. I've had it, decades ago, and could never drink it without adding so much milk and sugar as to effectively render the coffee a secondary ingredient.

 

 

Serious question, asked with nothing but respect and genuine curiosity:

 

Are you by any chance Latino?

 

I ask because, _to a man_, all of my Latino friends and coworkers _all_ take their coffee like this--- I mean to the point that when they knock over a cup out in the plant, they have to _sweep_ it up.   We have a running joke when the break bell rings that anyone who doesn't want black coffee has to beat the Latinos to the coffee stations.

 

 

7 hours ago, Cancer said:

Lotta hatin' on vegetables in this thread.

 

 

I noticed that, too.  I don't get it, but as I said before: I'm not going to knock anyone for it: there's things I don't like, either.

 

 

7 hours ago, Hermit said:

I learned that, properly cooked, I actually LIKE Asparagus

 

 

Of course you do!  Because it's awesome. 

 

(unless canned, in which case it's potentially toxic, as far as I can tell)

 

 

[Matt the Bruins]

8 hours ago, Hermit said:

Yet to my surprise, I learned that, properly cooked, I actually LIKE Asparagus . I mean, like two years ago, I finally tried some (or maybe I had blanked out my early tries) and found I liked it.

When I was growing up, asparagus was a bitter green-gray mush that came out of a can and was stewed in a pot for far too long. Now that I buy and cook my own damn food it's fresh stalks from the produce section that get drizzled with olive oil and a bit of salt and pan-seared. The latter preparation tastes great; the former remains an abomination.

[Pariah]

1 hour ago, Duke Bushido said:

Serious question, asked with nothing but respect and genuine curiosity:

 

Are you by any chance Latino?

 

I ask because, _to a man_, all of my Latino friends and coworkers _all_ take their coffee like this--- I mean to the point that when they knock over a cup out in the plant, they have to _sweep_ it up.   We have a running joke when the break bell rings that anyone who doesn't want black coffee has to beat the Latinos to the coffee stations.

 

Sorry, not Latino. Almost all of my ancestry is from England and Denmark.

 

When I was a senior in high school, though, I spent the entire weekend before my 18th birthday at a track meet. When I went in to get my photo taken for my new drivers license, I was so dark that I could have been mistaken for Latino .

[Badger]

On 1/28/2021 at 12:08 PM, Duke Bushido said:

 

 

Thanks, and yes: Undercover Brother was both overtly hilarious _and_ a glorious skewer to racism via blatant ridicule of racist stereotypes.  While it wasn't well-regarded as deeply humorous, I feel that it has been greatly under-appreciated as a social commentary.

 

As far as the white people / mayonnaise joke goes:

 

I can't say he was the first, but I know it goes back to the mid-eighties when a young George Lopez was still doing the "white people be like / Mexican people be like" drivel that all-too-often passed as "observational comedy."  (You know: because promoting racist stereotypes is something we should stand up and applaud  😕  ).  He followed it up with "you see them at Taco Bell yelling 'Oh my God!  It's so spicy!  Is that _real_ tomato?!'"

 

At any rate, you can probably find it in reruns of his television show (which featured an older, more experienced George Lopez, and was actually quite funny, being based more on family observational humor, though eventually he did recycle his entire original act through it).

 

 

 

 

For me, it's black licorice.  It used to be my absolute favorite, but I tried sneaking a piece while I was actually very sick (bad flu, high fever, six years old).  When it comes back up, it's the _only_ thing you can taste  Ugh.   Then the dry heaves, with nothing but the agony of a digestive system determined to push its entirety out through your mouth or kill you in the attempts-- and nothing coming up but licorice-flavored fumes.....

 

I was six.  Today, I am sixty.  I _still_ can't touch the stuff.  Even just the smell of anise seed will set my guts to lurching.  Some memories are vivid _forever_.  Why none of those memories involve sex is completely beyond me. 

 

 

 

In the words of my wife:

 

Pour that ** back in the horse!

 

 

 

 

Outside of American (real, not imitation) cheese, I feel that way about every single cheese I have ever had forced upon me-- even the mildest of cheddar and the zestiest of nacho.  Knowing where cheese cultures originally came from doesn't really help me shake that, either.  yuck.

 

 

 

 

Thank you.  Honestly, I think if we could get the media to use that instead of "white supremacists," we might make them take a better look at themselves.  I mean "Supremacy because of Whiteness" does little more than reinforce their beliefs, and I think it well-past time to stop doing that!

 

 

 

 

Just out of curiosity (and I harangue my wife about this, because that's how she prepares them (I do not prepare them: I think buying food that I _know_ we aren't going to willingly eat is counter-productive), is there enough grease, bacon, cream cheese, and other seasonings to completely kill the taste of the sprouts?      If so, it's a pretty good bet that they don't like them, either: it's the seasoned bacon they're enjoying. 

 

 

 

 

Thank you.  I confess: that's not even inspired.    They taste exactly like that "I threw up a little bit in the back of my throat" tastes like.   Bleargh!

 

I prefer my son's description of them, but I don't want to encourage it:

 

"Yep; I was right (while spitting them out).  Those are _definitely_ Grinch testicles!"

 

 

 

 

I cant eat Doritos because i threw up after eating them once.

[Matt the Bruins]

I've found there are limits to that sort of conditioning. Eating a big slab of fudge cake at my grandmother's just before coming down ill with several days of stomach flu made me hate the taste of fudge throughout most of my childhood, but eventually I overcame it. (The pepperoni thing is more persistent, but it made me sick a number of times before we figured out the culprit, and a few after when the devil sausage made it into pizzas unbeknowst to me.)

[L. Marcus]

Surströmming. 

[Hugh Neilson]

On 1/26/2021 at 2:19 PM, Old Man said:

I generally don't drink but I confess I've never understood the social importance of "drinking with" people.  Isn't having a beer with someone just sitting and having an honest discussion?  Why must there be beer, or alcohol involved?

 

Because people are often more honest after a couple of alcoholic beverages? 

 

OK, as I read through:

-          Like some others, have never developed a taste for coffee.  And I agree that creates a social issue.  “Developing a taste” is not high on my agenda – give me something that tastes good NOW.  I’m not really a fan of hot beverages in general.

-          Not a fan of sushi either.

-          Not a yogurt fan – probably could eat it, but not so inclined.

 

-          Mayo OK; Onions OK;

 

-          Blue cheese – love it.  A pizza chain had a “hot sauce chicken and blue cheese” for a (brief) while.  When I saw it and ordered it, the waiter paused, and asked how sure I was on that.  I liked it a lot, but the heat really brings out the taste, so I could see how a lot of people would not.  The other lady waiting tables, however, loved it.  I doubt anyone would fall in the middle zone between “loved it” and “could not stomach it”.  The waiter serving us held it at arm’s length when he brought it out.

 

-          I don’t eat a lot of vegetables – holdover as a kid.  One not mentioned:  peppers.  Green, red, whatever – not a peppers fan.

 

-          I’ve recently had grilled Brussels sprouts a few times – they’re not bad.  I'd probably eat more vegetables now if my wife liked them.  Our tastes mature.  But since she does not like a lot of vegetables, I don't have to try them.

And the Simpsons understood broccoli:  Nature's most dangerous food - it even tries to warn you away with its terrible taste.

[Hugh Neilson]

On a more serious note, I'm grateful to have the luxury of eating what I want, and  not what is available to survive.

[Duke Bushido]

8 hours ago, L. Marcus said:

Surströmming. 

 

You're going to make us Google that, aren't you?

 

 

 

So I did just that.

 

I learned this:

 

Quote

Surströmming (pronounced [ˈsʉ̂ːˌʂʈrœmːɪŋ]; Swedish for ''sour herring'') is a lightly-salted fermented Baltic Sea herring traditional to Swedish cuisine since at least the 16th century. The Baltic herring, known as strömming in Swedish, is smaller than the Atlantic herring, found in the North Sea.

 

 

Doesn't help much, never having eaten a herring of any kind.  The "fermented" part spooked me, until I remembered that I like kimchi.  Then I though "fermented meat?!"  Then I remembered what vinegar marinade is....

 

So:  I'm just going to accept that L Marcus doesn't like it, and most people do, and it's made of fish.

 

[Duke Bushido]

Oh, I also found this:

 

 

I have no desire to investigate further.   

 

 

 

[Pariah]

I don't believe I've ever actually eaten herring. Usually I just use them to cut down trees.

[Cygnia]

Fermented shark terrifies me...

[Matt the Bruins]

I've had pickled herring, but I'm sure it's nothing like the fermented variety in flavor. I remain skeptical that it could be the smelliest food in a world where durians and limburger cheese exist.

[Tom Cowan]

artificial cherry flavor

[Duke Bushido]

1 hour ago, Matt the Bruins said:

I've had pickled herring, but I'm sure it's nothing like the fermented variety in flavor. I remain skeptical that it could be the smelliest food in a world where durians and limburger cheese exist.

 

Dude, chitterlings smell worse than limburger.  I have no idea what durians are, though, and based on the results of my last "google this food" experiment, I am going to remain happily ignorant. 

 

[Old Man]

10 hours ago, Cygnia said:

Fermented shark terrifies me...

Probably less dangerous than the other kind, though. 

[unclevlad]

30 minutes ago, Tom Cowan said:

artificial cherry flavor

 

artificial flavorings, period

 

Natural flavorings...it's kinda funny, I love adding orange or lemon zest...but the citrus extracts don't work for me, or at most, need to be carefully included.  It might be that you're getting the oils but not the acidity to balance and add depth.  

 

The ONLY canned veg I could stand was Green Giant corn.  Somehow it didn't turn to mush.  In general I don't do corn any more;  corn's pretty empty carbs.  

 

How many people get into the winter squashes?  For me for the most part, it's butternut or sometimes acorn (much more of a pain to process).  When available, the small pie pumpkins are wonderful.  Butternut is great because it's the easiest to peel, and has the smallest seed ball.  Peel, seed, cube, add salt and drizzle with oil, roast in the oven, turning about every 15 minutes or so.  You want some brown.  (I think 45 minutes was about what I did.)  Pumpkin and particularly acorn are more of pain to peel in advance, so I'll just halve or quarter them and roast with the peel on.  It'll come off fairly easily after baking, and letting it cool.  Messy, tho.

 

After that, I just add a fair bit of (for me) unsweetened almond milk, and blend it until I get a puree.  That'll get portioned out into 5-6 ounce servings.  Final treatment:  more almond milk (or chicken or veggie stock would probably be good) to thin it...it'll take a bunch.  I've got a Ninja smoothie blender for that.  Heat with a bit of chili powder (careful, it's easy to overdo), or garam masala or pumpkin pie spice with a bit of sweetener.  

[L. Marcus]

1 hour ago, Matt the Bruins said:

I've had pickled herring, but I'm sure it's nothing like the fermented variety in flavor. I remain skeptical that it could be the smelliest food in a world where durians and limburger cheese exist.

Oh ye of little faith!

[Tjack]

7 hours ago, unclevlad said:

 

The ONLY canned veg I could stand was Green Giant corn.  Somehow it didn't turn to mush.  In general I don't do corn any more;  corn's pretty empty carbs.  

    
     Green Giant used to advertise that they used a special flash steam process to cook their corn to keep it crisp.  I don’t know if they still do, or if others use it too nowadays.   But that might be an answer.

[Cygnia]

There's a Thai restaurant in the next town over that has a lovely durian custard.  It's like onions caramelized with brown sugar.

 

Back when we went to local wrestling gigs, I always joked that the next time there was a "Fans Bring The Weapons" match, I'd bring a durian.

[Badger]

On 1/29/2021 at 9:46 PM, Matt the Bruins said:

I've found there are limits to that sort of conditioning. Eating a big slab of fudge cake at my grandmother's just before coming down ill with several days of stomach flu made me hate the taste of fudge throughout most of my childhood, but eventually I overcame it. (The pepperoni thing is more persistent, but it made me sick a number of times before we figured out the culprit, and a few after when the devil sausage made it into pizzas unbeknowst to me.)

Well, i have gotten to where, i only like blander potato chips now, as i have gotten older.

 

And i never liked bbq flavored

On 1/31/2021 at 9:03 AM, Hugh Neilson said:

 

Because people are often more honest after a couple of alcoholic beverages? 

 

OK, as I read through:

 

-          Like some others, have never developed a taste for coffee.  And I agree that creates a social issue.  “Developing a taste” is not high on my agenda – give me something that tastes good NOW.  I’m not really a fan of hot beverages in general.

-          Not a fan of sushi either.

 

-          Not a yogurt fan – probably could eat it, but not so inclined.

 

 

 

-          Mayo OK; Onions OK;

 

 

 

-          Blue cheese – love it.  A pizza chain had a “hot sauce chicken and blue cheese” for a (brief) while.  When I saw it and ordered it, the waiter paused, and asked how sure I was on that.  I liked it a lot, but the heat really brings out the taste, so I could see how a lot of people would not.  The other lady waiting tables, however, loved it.  I doubt anyone would fall in the middle zone between “loved it” and “could not stomach it”.  The waiter serving us held it at arm’s length when he brought it out.

 

 

 

-          I don’t eat a lot of vegetables – holdover as a kid.  One not mentioned:  peppers.  Green, red, whatever – not a peppers fan.

 

 

 

-          I’ve recently had grilled Brussels sprouts a few times – they’re not bad.  I'd probably eat more vegetables now if my wife liked them.  Our tastes mature.  But since she does not like a lot of vegetables, I don't have to try them.

And the Simpsons understood broccoli:  Nature's most dangerous food - it even tries to warn you away with its terrible taste.

Never liked coffee.

On 1/29/2021 at 9:46 PM, Matt the Bruins said:

I've found there are limits to that sort of conditioning. Eating a big slab of fudge cake at my grandmother's just before coming down ill with several days of stomach flu made me hate the taste of fudge throughout most of my childhood, but eventually I overcame it. (The pepperoni thing is more persistent, but it made me sick a number of times before we figured out the culprit, and a few after when the devil sausage made it into pizzas unbeknowst to me.)

I should also mention that when i threw up after those Doritos it was the first time i had thrown up in 15 years.

[Pariah]

Okay, restaurant (more or less) edition:

 

Five Guys Burgers and Fries: No thank you. I have eaten there once, and their fries gave me notable gastric distress. I can't handle the grease.

 

In-N-Out Burger: I've had their food a few times. I've found it to be profoundly 'meh'. Certainly not worth waiting in line for 20 minutes for.

 

KFC: I remember Kentucky Fried Chicken being better than KFC seems to be now. Something about the taste just seems ... I don't know, off somehow. The fact that the refugees from evolution who staff the local franchises have screwed up our order the last several times we've gone probably doesn't help, either. 

 

And while I generally find Arby's not unpleasant, their recently-introduced Cheesesteak Sandwich is not good. The bun was fine, not too mushy or chewy. The peppers were firm and flavorful. But the meat ... well, I don't think I could actually taste the meat over the peppers and the bun.  The provolone cheese probably didn't help in that respect. and the whole mishmash of meat, peppers and cheese looked, frankly, like vomit. I will not be ordering it again, nor can I recommend that any of you do so.

[Cygnia]

The few times we go to Five Guys, we forwent the fries for the free peanuts instead.

[Tjack]

I’m going to admit something no guy is supposed to say..........I can’t stand the taste of beer.

   I’ve had people try to convince me that I just never had the right type or brew or whatever and I’ve had to taste a lot of stuff I didn’t like to appease them.  So let’s not make this one of those sessions.

   When I do drink (I keep VERY strict rules for myself about how or if I’m getting home) I either go with sweet drinks like rum & cola or sea breeze or good quality Irish whiskey. This keeps me from the power drinkers, because I can switch out the first two with non alcoholic substitutes over the course of the night or I can insist that “You don’t pound 25 year old whiskey.”

[Joe Walsh]

I couldn't stand beer until I found ale. Now, I can't stand. (Badum-pah!)

 

Every type of shellfish I've ever tried has made me gag. I do like fresh-caught fish, but most of the stuff I've tried in restaurants has a funny taste to it, so I avoid that stuff. High quality sushi can be quite good, though.

 

And I've never enjoyed coffee or coffee-flavored products.