Why do some people hate Brussels sprouts? (2024)

FAQs

Why do some people hate Brussels sprouts? ›

This receptor is coded by a gene named TAS2R38, or the PTC gene. Even though PTC is not normally found in our food, it is very similar to chemicals found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale and Brussel sprouts. The PTC gene comes in 2 common forms – bitter-tasting or non-tasting.

A 2011 study by Cornwall College found that sprouts contain a chemical, similar to phenylthiocarbamide, which only tastes bitter to people who have a variation of a certain gene. The research found that around 50 per cent of the world's population have a mutation on this gene.

Researchers determined that some of the older varieties — hundreds of them, actually — stored in the “gene bank” had lower levels of two glucosinolates called sinigrin and progoitrin, the chemicals that made brussels sprouts so acrid. In 1999, the scientists published their findings.

If any of the leaves have brown spots or are yellowing, it's a sign of early spoilage. If you remove the blemished leaves and the interior looks OK, you can still use the sprout. However, if the interior leaves are also showing blemishes or yellowing, it's best to toss it (or compost it, if you can).

Research Fellow Lauren Chappell said, "Sulfur is responsible for the bitter sprout taste. As we age, we lose tastebuds, which can make them more palatable—potentially why adults who hated sprouts as children now embrace them in seasonal dishes.

Like other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts have a type of carbohydrate that your body can't easily break down. This can cause you to have belly pain, gas, and either diarrhea or constipation.

These veggies are full of nutrients and beneficial plant compounds. Like other cruciferous veggies, Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane. This has been studied for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial benefits.

For many, Brussels sprouts are at best an acquired taste – but only because most people do not prepare them correctly. Brussels sprouts, for example, should never be steamed or (gasp!) boiled. They are best when roasted – especially with the proper ingredients and seasonings that bring out their unique, savory flavor.

One technique for mitigating bitterness in Brussels sprouts is to blanch them. (This technique also works for making collard greens less bitter, as well as other greens.) Blanching involves adding your veg to boiling water for a brief period, then plunging it into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

He selected seed varieties with lower levels of the bitter chemicals and bred new high-yielding varieties that tasted less bitter. And better-tasting brussels sprouts are good, not only for our appetites but also because most of us aren't eating enough vegetables.

Why can't I eat brussel sprouts? ›

In addition to having a bitter flavor, raw Brussels sprouts may increase gas in some people. They contain an indigestible fiber called raffinose, which can be tough on the stomach.

“Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, which can promote digestive regularity,” says Rifkin. She explains that eating fiber-rich foods, like Brussels sprouts, is important because it increases stool frequency and alleviates constipation. A full 95 percent of people in the U.S. don't eat enough fiber.

The bitter taste of Brussels sprouts comes from compounds called glucosinolates and their degradation products, he explains. These bitter tasting compounds are an important part of the plant's defence mechanism against leaf-eating enemies, such as insects, nematodes, slugs, and herbivores, like pigeons and deer.

Because PTC is prevalent in Brussels sprouts, these so-called "Supertasters" perceive them as intensely bitter. This is all connected to a taste-related gene called TAS2R38, which has a variant called AVI and one called PAV.

Undercooked sprouts can taste even more bitter than the cooked variety. Overcook them, and they release more sulfur — which amplifies the cabbage smell.

Did you know? Britons eat more Brussels sprouts than any other nation in Europe. Our sprout industry is worth £650m and the area covered by sprout fields in the UK is the equivalent of 3,240 football pitches. It's fair to say that these days, no one loves sprouts more than the British.

Because Brussels sprouts are bitter, and kids generally don't like bitter tastes. It's not their fault.

Although Brussel sprout allergy isn't common, hypersensitive people who ingest this vegetable may experience mild to moderate allergic symptoms.

A splash of lemon juice, or even apple cider vinegar, works wonders on bitter sprouts. Another key ingredient is fat, which helps Brussels sprouts to crisp up. This is why it's so popular to render bacon fat and cook Brussels sprouts in it, then add the bacon bits back in at the end.

But despite their differences, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are fairly similar in taste, albeit sprouts are a little more bitter. Raw dishes aside, you can often substitute one for the other, depending on how bitter you like your vegetables.