Leo Outamaa, 11, and Broccoli have differing opinions on the vegetable. Even some adults don’t like broccoli, with one former president of the United States, George H.W. Bush, publicly naming it as his favorite dish. The reason for the dislike could be due to its bitterness. Broccoli is a cabbage plant that belongs to the genus Brassica, which produces thiocyanate compounds containing nitrogen and sulfur, leading to its bitter taste.
Some people have a strong aversion to the bitterness of cabbage plants, possibly due to innate preferences controlled by genes that dictate how we taste different compounds. The taste receptor gene tas2r38 has been linked to how sensitively we perceive bitterness in Brassica plants, influencing our ability to taste thiocyanate compounds. This genetic variation means that some individuals are more sensitive to the bitterness in broccoli than others.
While some may dislike the bitterness of broccoli, others might enjoy it. There are ways to soften the bitterness of broccoli, such as incorporating herbs and grated cheese into recipes. Mari Sandell, a professor of sensory food research at the University of Helsinki, recommends experimenting with different cooking methods to find a preparation of broccoli that suits your taste preferences.