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They say food is love. That secret ingredient in Mom’s cooking(popular foods) shapes a love language beyond words. Sometimes, certain foods and beverages capture the attention of the masses, and everyone seems to obsess over them. But do people like these popular foods and drinks, or are they just saying it to appear trendy? Read on to find out the foods and beverages that these Reddit users believe everyone is lying about liking.
Circus Peanuts
No, not the delightful peanuts you can get in brown bags at the circus. Circus Peanuts, capital C and P, are a classic candy made out of marshmallows and shaped exactly like circus peanuts. These orange-colored, banana-flavored candies were often sold in five-and-dime stores back in the day. Fun fact: these candies even led to the creation of the infamous cereal Lucky Charms! As well-loved as the cereal is, the candy is much less so, with a Reddit user saying, “They taste like burnt stomped-on stale marshmallows shaped into a peanut.” I think I’ll stick with the Lucky Charms, thanks.
Balut
Balut is a snack that some hate and some love, and it’s no wonder why it’s so divisive. The delicacy is an egg embryo that has developed for 14 to 21 days and is eaten straight from the shell. Chicks only need 21 incubation days to be almost fully formed in their shells, so eating balut can sometimes mean eating a full chick. This is unfathomable to some people, primarily those who can’t stomach eating a baby animal. However, some say it’s a delicious delicacy—they can even eat two or more at a time!
La Croix
La Croix is a sparkling water brand with different flavors originating from La Crosse in Wisconsin. Fitness buffs drink this as an alternative to soda and juices, both of which are filled with sugar, but those who don’t mind the spike in their blood sugar would rather have the real thing. According to them, La Croix tastes like fizzy water with the slightest hint of flavor (ranging across various fruits)—much too bland if you’re used to the sugary sweetness and flavor of the usual soft drinks.
Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented type of tea that has made its rounds online because of fitness and health influencers. This beverage is often an acquired taste because of its strongly tangy and sour flavor, and people who prefer their drinks sweet might not understand kombucha enthusiasts’ love for it. However, the beverage has plenty of benefits, including probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins that are good for your body.
Caviar
If there’s one food that exudes luxury and extravagance, it’s caviar. Caviar is a salt-cured roe from fish in the sturgeon family. Though it has become much more common nowadays, it is still an expensive snack for most. Many argue that while high society deems it one of the best foods to put on a cracker or some bread, it’s not worth its price. Caviar is too salty and fishy for many people (of course, this makes sense as it is salted fish eggs), so much so that it baffles them why so many swear by it.
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Coconut Water
“Tried some a few years ago; it tasted like normal water with dirt. Hated it,” is what one user had to say about coconut water. It is unclear if the dislike is towards the coconut water fresh from the fruit or the bottled coconut water on grocery shelves. Still, the two are almost the same, with just a minor difference in nutritional value. Many have described coconut water as just odd-tasting water, but others enjoy this variation of the usual H2O—it is slightly sweeter, a little salty, and goes well with a dash of sugar or syrup.
Oysters
There are many creative ways oysters have been described in this message board thread, including “rubber snot rockets.” Oysters have an acquired taste with a slimy texture and seawater flavor. These two factors usually throw people off, but many seafood lovers find it delicious. Raw oysters receive more raised brows than baked oysters, which typically come with cheese, butter, herbs, and more, adding flavor and texture to the otherwise salty and slimy shellfish.
Bloody Mary
“I will never try a bloody Mary. And people put clam juice in this? No, thank you. I’m not wrong; you’re wrong,” says one passionate commenter. This famous brunch cocktail is an odd mix of things, mainly vodka and tomato juice, with the addition of many other ingredients depending on where you’re from, including hot sauce, vegetables, spices, Worcestershire sauce, and, yes, clam juice. This doesn’t sound like a drink you’d like to chug on paper. However, many people like it for its ability to cure hangovers (not scientifically proven) and, believe it or not, its taste. To each his own!
Liver
Liver is an organ meat that goes in many dishes, and many foodies love its earthy, metallic, and rich flavor. But these exact flavors also throw other people off, often because they’re too intense on the tongue. Liver can overpower the other ingredients in a dish, especially for those who prefer milder-tasting meats. Some people can’t get over the thought of eating animal organs, no matter how delicious others claim it to be.
Quinoa
Many nutritious foods have become well-known and loved in the past few years, with more people getting into fitness and healthier alternatives, including quinoa. Quinoa is often considered a white rice alternative since it is a whole grain that contains many more nutrients. Despite its health benefits, many people don’t enjoy it because of its taste. It sometimes has this odd bitter taste, which, contrary to popular belief, doesn’t come from dirt or soap but saponin, a chemical coating that protects the seed in the wild.
Licorice
“I disliked it as a child but enjoy it as an adult,” said one user. Though many adults have grown to love licorice, many had an aversion to it when they were younger. Licorice comes in long, braided strands of fruit-flavored chewiness. It is less sweet than a chocolate bar or gummy bears, so it makes sense that kids don’t gravitate towards it. On the other hand, many adults have learned to appreciate red licorice. Black licorice, though, is a different story!
Pig’s Feet
Yep, you read that right. Pig’s feet are exactly as they sound. This attention-grabbing dish is popular and well-loved around Asia, often served in restaurants or street food. While it sounds scandalous, many love it, especially when prepared with the right techniques and spices. However, like with liver, many people can’t get behind eating such an odd part of an animal.
Mushrooms
Shocking as it is, there are quite a lot of people who don’t like mushrooms, just as much as there are people who do. Many are turned off by mushrooms being fungi, a species known to include mold and yeast. However, mushrooms are a different group of fungi from mold and are naturally clean. Fungus or not, it makes one heck of a pizza topping!
Raw Kale
“Btw, I picked kale once, and I’ll let you know if it grows surrounded by stinging nettles. The species thrive on each other, at least around here. Nature is saying, Do not eat,” says one user, who obviously is not fond of the green, leafy vegetable that is kale. This plant has plenty of benefits, from antioxidants to nutrients, which has made it a popular food among health nuts. Still, many people don’t find these healthy benefits worth it, as the vegetable tastes earthy and bitter. However, when prepared with lemon, herbs, spices, and dressing, it makes for a pretty tasty salad!
India Pale Ale (Ipa)
India pale ale, more commonly known as IPA, is a type of beer notable for having a higher alcohol concentration and more hops—a plant added to beer to make it stronger and more aromatic—than the usual beer. Because of this, it is often more bitter, which makes it a hit or miss among beer lovers. If you’re the type to like your drinks stronger, you’ll probably love IPAs. If you like your beers lighter or less intense, you might want to skip this one.
Durian
Durian is probably one of the most controversial fruits, both for its taste and smell. It has been banned in several countries for its pungent smell, an odd mix of sewage, honey, onions, and fruit. However, for those who have managed to make it through this outrageous odor, its flavor is quite pleasant—a sweet and custardy taste reminiscent of caramel and vanilla. You’ll probably love durian if you don’t have a sensitive nose. On the other hand, if you do have a nose that picks up the slightest of smells, you’ll want to stay far from this fruit.
Olives
“Maybe you’ve usually eaten the dyed black, cheap, unripe olives… But good olives taste nice,” says one olive enthusiast under someone else’s comment, saying, “Ew, just ew.” A distinction has to be made between canned olives and fresh olives. Processed and canned olives are probably what people are calling disgusting and terrible tasting since they are often incredibly salty and much softer. Fresh, brined olives are what olive lovers swear by—these are much more firm and succulent and retain more of the original olive flavor.
Source: Reddit
