Eli5: Do our tastebuds actually “change” as we get older? Who do kids dislike a certain food, then start liking it as an adult?

Question

When I was a kid, I did not like spicy food. Now an adult, I love it.

In: 2025

Answer 1

Yes. A lot of plant poisons are alkaloids, which taste bitter. So kids will generally avoid bitter foods, probably as a survival adaptation. It isn’t until you’re older that you learn to appreciate those tastes, and have the knowledge of which things are safe to eat.