If you’re not a fan of Brussels sprouts, it might be down to your genes, as research suggests that disliking the festive veg could indicate you’re a “supertaster”.
These little green veggies divide opinion at Christmas, with many diners sneakily ditching them into the bin. It is widely believed that this culinary disdain is down to just personal preference, but it turns out the reason could be scientific.
Genetics company 23andMe has reported that two-thirds of people have taste receptors that are more sensitive to bitterness, which explains why sprouts aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. The culprit for the bitter taste is a chemical found in Brussels sprouts and broccoli called PTC, which those with “supertaster” gene variants can detect more readily.
Prior studies have identified several gene variations that influence how we perceive the bitterness of foods and beverages like dark chocolate, coffee, and beer. It turns out that a quarter of Brits don’t relish the thought of eating these winter greens.
In Scotland, opinions are divided between its major cities; a whopping 76 percent of Glaswegians enjoy Brussels sprouts, while only 17 percent of Edinburgh residents share this sentiment. Despite mixed feelings about their flavour, the UK still produces a staggering 82,000 tons of Brussels sprouts annually, enough to cover 3,200 football pitches.
Yet, there’s hope for sprout skeptics, as tastes can change with age and sensory adaptation. Alisa Lehman, a spokeswoman and senior product scientist, explained: “Brussels sprouts have a high level of sulphur compounds which are responsible for the bitter flavour.”
Individuals with specific genetic variants in the TAS2R38 gene are more sensitive to bitter tastes, which might make them more inclined to dislike sprouts. However, detecting bitterness doesn’t necessarily lead to an instant dislike, as evidenced by the popularity of sprouts among Brits.
“There are many factors outside genetics that play a part in the foods we like. For example, we can train ourselves to like foods that are good for us, and as we get older our food preferences can change as our overall sense of taste tends to dull.
“So even if you don’t like sprouts now, there’s the potential you will in the future.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletterhere.