Why do some people dislike Brussels sprouts? - By Felicia (a sprout lover)
Brussels Sprouts are a very controversial subject. Some people like them, like me and Skye and Lea and Emily, but others like Elena and Fatima HATE them. Are you one of those who would do anything to avoid them, or are you like me who don’t mind them at all? This article will tell you all about why the Brussel sprout is such a controversial food.
It turns out, your opinion on this vegetable depends on a certain gene. A study found that sprouts contain a chemical, similar to phenylthiocarbamide, which only tastes bitter to people who have a variation of a certain gene called TAS2R38. Very catchy name. Now, about one half of the population has this gene. The other lucky half don’t taste the bitterness usually associated with sprouts, and therefore like them a whole lot more than everyone else.
So, unlike me, if you’re one of those ‘supertasters’ who have the bitter-tasting PTC gene and hates Brussel sprouts, remember to explain this to whoever’s making you eat them!