[cmpalmer52]

I tried salted licorice. Granted, I don’t really like sweet licorice, or anise, or fennel, or any of the liquors that use that flavoring, but I tolerate them. The salted licorice was the worst thing I’d ever tasted.

So I bought a whole bag of it and ate a piece every day or so. After a week, I wasn’t cringing as much. After two or three weeks I started craving it. By the end of the month, I liked it. I don’t love it, but I did buy another bag when that one was done. And yes I know the health risks, but I’m never going to be eating a bag or two a day.

The weirdest, though, was cilantro. I’m in the genetic group that thinks it tastes soapy. And yet, after trying it enough, I love it.

[kelseydh]

When I was young I had a weird cognitive bias where I would think that if something tasted curious or different, that it must be good for you in some way.

E.g. the odd taste of licorice. Must mean that it was healthy or good right? Turns out licorice really isn't good for you. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/10/28/black-licorice-is-a...

[unwind]

How to know that an article about licorice is from the US: they include the "black" qualifier. As if there were any other kind! To me (Swedish) the normal/expected qualifier is "sweet" (yes please) or "salty" (oh yes indeed thank you very much).

The concept of "red licorice" [1] is simply ... foreign. :) It's also fun and interesting as a word/food, since it focuses on the texture of a food and re-uses the word, even though the word is tightly coupled to the flavor.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquorice_(confectionery)#Red_...

[cmpalmer52]

My rule is that if other human beings eat something for pleasure (and not out of desperation, a dare, or to show off), then I should at least try it a few times as long as I don’t have ethical qualms about it.

[Cthulhu_]

Growing up I'd eat plenty of licorice as candy, various kinds. But in my adult life, I just... don't feel like having it. But that goes for most candy, I just don't enjoy it much. Mints on occasion.

It's probably because candy makes my teeth hurt, lol. Likewise, I don't like certain acidic drinks like orange juice or wine, they just don't sit right.