If so, you may be one of an elite minority among humans who have a special genetic condition that gives you special taste and smell capabilities. It may also explain why some folks just can’t stand the flavour of Broccoli, Turnips, Cabbage, Kale or Brussels Sprouts…
Too bad Bush 41 didn’t know he was probably a supertaster.
Then again, he might never have gotten into politics…
I ran across this story in my culinary news source meanderings recently, and was undecided about whether to dedicate a post to it. But here goes…
I think we all know, someone who can’t strand the taste – even the cooking aroma – of Broccoli or Brussels Sprouts. Remember when U.S. President 41 George H.W. Bush was slammed by American Broccoli Growers after he let slip that he hated the oft maligned Veggie? Some of the growers even got together and dumped more than 10 tons of the stuff on the White House lawn.
But… According to HealthyEating.org, “Broccoli is a great source of vitamins K and C, a good source of folate (folic acid) and also provides Potassium, Fibre and Vitamin C – builds collagen, which forms body tissue and bone, and helps cuts and wounds heal. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and protects the body from damaging free radicals.” It has also been shown to aid digestion.
‘Haters’ are missing out on a really good thing!
On the other hand…
If you do have a strong negative reaction to Broccoli and other Cruciferous Veggies – if they taste unbearably bitter to you – you may in fact have a beneficial genetic characteristic.
Research over the past 20 years has revealed that up to 25 percent of Humans may have the gene that makes some Veggies taste bitter, and others, like Cilantro, taste ‘soapy’. But, if you have it, that gene also makes you a supertaster, someone with more olfactory and taste bud receptors than average, and a propensity to suffer taste overload when eating foods high in certain Sulfur-based compounds. Why should an olfactory ‘gift’ make you a super taster? Don’t forget that up to 70 percent of the experience we call ‘taste’ is based on the influence of the olfactory system. Don’t believe me? Take a Sip of Orange Juice as usual, then take one while holding your nose.
The good news…
Supertasters, once proven to genuinely have the ability, can make a killing in the industrial world by becoming Chocolate, Wine, Coffee and Tea tasters, Perfume samplers and a host of other jobs – which might truly be ranked as professions, since they require a great deal of training and ‘feel’ as well as the ability to supertaste.
Supertasters are particularly in demand in the Food Processing industry, to ensure that products remain consistent in taste and smell form one production run to the next. It’s a big part of pleasing the customer. They want to know that a product will taste and smell the same every time; that6’s why they liked it in the first place.
A career as a supertaster?
Yes, there are folks out there who do nothing but taste foods and beverages all day at work. And they make fairly good money at it. Online job boards suggest you can haul down (US)$80,000+ a year as a Coffee or Tea Taster; (US)$70,000 as a Wine Taster. But there are provisos, because it’s a big responsibility. You’ll have to get your taste and small senses tested for sensitivity regularly, so the employer knows he or she is getting the expected value for their tasting dollar. If you catch a cold, you can’t work. And on top of all that, you may not be able to work for a day or more more if you get nose-whacked by a perfume spritzing ‘associate’ in the cosmetics department.
Are you a real supertaster?
There’s an easy way to find out, and it doesn’t involve your health insurance provider. Testing kits are available for about (US)$5 at Amazon. You get a small tube containing paper strips soaked in Phenylthiourea (PTC), a concentrated, pure form of one of the main compounds that make you hate Broccoli and Sprouts. Just place a strip on your moistened tongue and you’ll know instantly if you’re a supertaster. The bitter taste will just about knock your head off!
If you taste-test positive for the supertaster gene, I’d recommend you do more research on what’s required to get a job in the field before applying for one. And, there are companies that specialize in certifying supertasters and getting them gigs. Applied Consumer & Clinical Evaluations (ACCC) is just one of several.
~ Maggie J.