Who likes Licorice?

[fionnbharro]

Since my previous post was about Jelly Belly jellybeans, I've heard from people  who like the black 'licorice' flavored ones.

Licorice is a relatively common candy, so there's obviously a segment of the population that likes the flavor.  But just *who* are those people?  I'm not one of them.

It's not like, say, horehound, where I simply don't care

Comments

[fionnbharro]

I'll start with "Necco wafers". And those "Be Mine"-message candy valentine hearts.

I think they're up there with licorice with the revulsion-factor.

[fionnbharro]

Oh! And Circus Peanuts: Blech!

[talonvaki]

I like black licorice, and anise-flavoured drinks/foods.

I wonder if having a taste for black licorice/anise is genetic? And I wonder if it's related to having a taste for cilantro, which people seem to either love or hate.

Interestingly enough, Anise and cilantro/coriander are both members of the Parsley family (Apiaceae). As is poison hemlock. Hmmmmm...maybe the people who hate cilantro and anise are on to something.

[fionnbharro]

That's really interesting: I love cilantro, but hate licorice. And I like most parsley types, too.

[talonvaki]

This is what happens when one's father is a plant taxonomist. My first thought is, "hm...I wonder if they're related?"

[terpsichoros]

I'm with you on circus peanuts, but necco wafers and the candy hearts are only "do not care for" - the texture and artificial flavors manage to overcome the tasty goodness of all that sugar, but only just.

I detest licorice candy (real licorice flavor, not the stuff with the same shape and texture that tastes like red). But I'm ok with Ouzo and other anise liquors. They're not my favorites, but I'll drink them.

I don't dislike cilantro, but to me there's no taste, just the spiciness it adds. Parsley is similar, but there's a vague grassy taste, and no hotness. I *don't* experience cilantro as being "soapy".

[fionnbharro]

Two kinds of "Smarties": one I like, one I don't.

1) the kind I like: Smarties that come in the small plastic wrapper and are sort of like 'round Pez'.

2) the kind I don't like: The cheap Canadian "M&M" ripoff with the crap chocolate.

Of course, If I *have* the second kind, and I'm munchy enough, I will eat them,....

...eating the red ones last, of course.

[fionnbharro]

From what I'm understanding you say -- a lot of what you don't like has to do with the mouthfeel or texture of the food.

What about *just* flavor?

[fionnbharro]

My mother tells us that my grandmother -- her mother -- hated bananas, too.

The first banana she ever had -- remember they were tropical rarities in Buffalo way back in the 1920's; and most people heard they were wonderful, but didn't know much about the taste or eating them 'for real' -- the first banana she ever had was absolutely horrid, and she never ate one again.

It was years later that she found out you had to peel them, first.

[kahnegabs]

Ahah! Now I know why I can't go on a diet very easily. I LOVE all those flavors you mention above. Real licorice, bananas, cilantro, anisette, brussels sprouts, coriander, mace, etc. The only things anyone has mentioned that I don't care for is those sticky red vine candies people call red licorice, and most cheesecakes.