Alongside memory and ambience, our genetics also have a powerful impact on taste preferences. Neuroscientist Charles Zucker from Columbia University believes all animals are "pre-wired" to prefer sweet tastes over sour. "There are no lions out in the wild drinking tonic water," he says.
On a more individual level, our personal genetic inherited preferences are significant. "And that is likely to greatly impact how much sugar I want to have in my coffee," says Dr Zucker. "It might be that I need six spoons of sugar to get the same level of satisfaction and reward that you get with only two."
Coffee is also an interesting example of how our tastes change over time. Most children don't like the maltiness of beer or the bitterness of strong coffee. But many adults enjoy the social reward – the relaxing effects of alcohol or the stimulation gained by coffee.
These are what we call acquired tastes – things we gradually learn to like - whether it's because our palates become more sophisticated, or because we crave the social effects of the foods.
For me though, I'm yet to see the allure in oysters, whether social or epicurean!
词汇表 grub (俚语)吃的,食物
(to have) a sweet tooth 吃甜食的嗜好
(to be) partial (to) 偏爱
savoury 咸的
to ponder 仔细思考,衡量
to turn someone’s stomach 让人恶心
lavishly 极其大方地
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2019-11-15
2019-11-15
2019-11-15
2019-11-15
2019-11-15
2019-11-15