People in the States might like chocolate in many forms, but is it really for everyone? The average American eats about 10 pounds of chocolate per year and we’re not even the nation with the most consumption per capita. That award belongs to Switzerland. They eat close to 19 pounds per capita each year.
Many people out there don’t like chocolate, and they typically fall into two categories: those who specifically don’t like American chocolate, and those who find that all types of chocolate taste overwhelmingly bitter. However, surprisingly, the scientists found that an individual’s genes may determine their affinity for or aversion to chocolate.
The chocolate haters have unstated motives
A great number of non-Americans hate on our chocolate, and for a pretty good reason. Most American mass-produced chocolate contains butyric acid, the chemical compound that lends vomit its unmistakable sour taste and smell. Yes, you read that right: the flavor profile of a chocolate bar and food poisoning overlap. Evidence is limited about whether or not this chemical is dangerous to consume in limited doses. Avoiding excess dietary fat may help to maintain better gut health
A byproduct of milk running through controlled lipolysis, butyric acid is not filtered out of the final product. Though it may just be an unpleasant taste to some people, Americans are mostly not bothered by its strong prickling taste.
It’s forecasted that one in four people are supertasters; they were born with more tastebuds than the rest of us and who cause a sensitivity to strongly flavored foods. One bite of high-end chocolate can send them shouting about the bitterness of the supposed “sweet” thing you subjected them to.
Though mass-produced American chocolate is also disliked by supertasters, the same can’t be said for chocolates from France or Belgium. Followers of taste test videos tend to favor the lighter ones over the richer more bitter flavors of dark and cocoa chocolates.
Want to know why there are people who don’t like chocolate? Discover the science behind your sweet tooth. Whitman’s Sampler may taste perfect to some, but for those looking for a more adventurous meal, we recommend these other great food options.
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