Food preferences are highly personal and can vary greatly between individuals. However, when looking at food dislikes across an entire population, interesting trends emerge. According to national surveys and opinion polls, there are certain foods that consistently rank low in terms of overall likeability among Americans.
What do surveys say are the most disliked foods in America?
Food preference surveys have found that the most commonly disliked foods among Americans include:
- Liver
- Tofu
- Lima beans
- Brussels sprouts
- Natto (fermented soybeans)
- Black licorice
In survey after survey, these foods make the list of the top 10 or 20 most disliked foods. For example, a national survey conducted by YouGov found that the most hated foods in America were liver (hated by 34% of respondents), tofu (24%), lima beans (23%), followed by mayonnaise and eggs Benedict (both at 17%).
Why are these foods so disliked?
There are several reasons these particular foods tend to be widely disliked among Americans:
Taste and texture
The predominant reason is simply that many people find the taste and/or texture of these foods unappealing. Liver has a very distinctive taste and texture that some find unpleasant. Lima beans and Brussels sprouts taste bitter to some. Tofu is often criticized for being bland and rubbery. The slimy texture of natto is a common complaint.
Bitterness
Bitterness is broadly disliked by many people. Evolutionary biologists believe this aversion developed to help early humans avoid poisonous plants. Both lima beans and Brussels sprouts contain bitter compounds that some find off-putting.
Smell
The strong smells of some of these foods also puts people off. Natto in particular has a potent aroma that many find unappetizing. Liver and certain vegetables like Brussels sprouts can also have strong smells when cooked.
Health concerns
Some people dislike liver due to concerns over its high cholesterol content. Tofu is disliked by some due to misconceptions that it has a weird texture or insufficient protein.
Bad childhood experiences
For many people, foods like liver and Brussels sprouts are associated with bad childhood memories of being forced to eat them. These early negative experiences can instill a lifelong aversion even into adulthood.
Cultural tastes
Cultural and ethnic preferences also play a role. Natto is beloved in Japan but disliked by many Americans unaccustomed to its distinctively slimy, fermented flavor. Black licorice is much more popular in some European countries than in the U.S.
How do food dislike trends compare among different groups?
While the above foods are generally disliked across all segments of the U.S. population, some interesting variations emerge when looking at the data by age, gender, and region.
Age Differences
Younger Americans tend to be more averse to liver and brussels sprouts, while older age groups dislike tofu more. This may reflect changing tastes over generations.
| Age Group | Most Disliked Food |
|---|---|
| 18-29 | Liver |
| 30-44 | Brussels sprouts |
| 45-60 | Liver |
| 60+ | Tofu |
Gender Differences
Women are more likely to dislike liver, licorice, and natto compared to men. Men show a greater dislike for tofu and vegan meat substitutes.
| Gender | Most Disliked Food |
|---|---|
| Female | Liver |
| Male | Tofu |
Regional Differences
Natto is disliked everywhere, but shows the highest rates of dislike in the Midwest and South. Black licorice dislike is highest in the West and Northeast. The Midwest stands out with the greatest dislike for liver and lima beans.
| Region | Most Disliked Food |
|---|---|
| Northeast | Black licorice |
| Midwest | Liver |
| South | Natto |
| West | Black licorice |
Which states hate which foods the most?
Food dislike patterns also emerge at the state level:
- Liver is most disliked in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Ohio
- Tofu dislike is highest in North Dakota, Wyoming, and West Virginia
- Lima beans are most hated in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana
- Brussels sprouts see greatest dislike in California, Washington, and Connecticut
- Natto is unanimously disliked but most of all in Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee
- Black licorice has high dislike rates in Oregon, Nevada, and Florida
Which generation dislikes liver, lima beans, and tofu the most?
Examining the data across age cohorts shows distinct generational patterns:
- Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) dislike liver and lima beans more than other generations
- Generation X (born 1965-1980) has an above average aversion to liver and tofu
- Millennials (born 1981-1996) show higher than typical dislike for lima beans and natto
- Generation Z (born 1997 onward) has the highest dislike for Brussels sprouts out of any generation
This suggests food tastes are molded by the cultural and food trends of one’s childhood years and may persist into adulthood. The same vegetables that baby boomer parents found difficult to get their children to eat (liver, lima beans) remain disliked by boomers to this day.
How have food dislike trends changed over time?
While some food aversions persist across generations, food dislike patterns have evolved over time as cultural tastes and food diversity have changed.
Compared to 20 years ago, Americans today have a stronger dislike for:
- Black licorice: once a popular candy flavor, now considered outdated by younger generations
- Tofu: increased popularity of veganism has led to a rise in negative views of tofu
- Natto: this Japanese fermented food remains little known or liked in the U.S.
On the other hand, several classic disliked vegetables are seeing their reputations improve slightly:
- Brussels sprouts: thanks to new recipes and cooking methods, dislike is slowly decreasing
- Lima beans: no longer as intensely disliked as in previous eras
This demonstrates how wider cultural and health trends can shape populations taste preferences over time.
What are the most hated foods worldwide?
While there are some global food dislikes (organ meats, bitter vegetables), cultural tastes play a huge role in food aversions. Other commonly hated foods worldwide include:
- Surströmming – Swedish fermented herring, disliked for its intense rotten smell
- Century egg – Chinese preserved egg, disliked for its unusual dark color and strong flavor
- Durian – Southeast Asian fruit with a potent aroma often described as rotten or sewage-like
- Casu marzu – Sardinian cheese containing live insect larvae
- Shark fin soup – Controversial Chinese delicacy due to unethical shark hunting
However, foods hated in one culture are often delicacies in another. What is reviled in America may be revered in Asia. This highlights the complex diversity of global food customs.
Conclusion
While personal tastes vary enormously, clear patterns emerge in food dislikes at a population level. In America, liver, tofu, lima beans, Brussels sprouts and natto consistently rank among the most hated foods. Dislike for bitter flavors, slimy textures, and pungent smells unite these varied foods. Sociologists suggest shared culture and generational memories help shape our population-level aversions. Looking globally, different hated foods reflect diverse cultural traditions – what is disgusting to some is delicious to others. Understanding these dislikes provides insight into the sociology and psychology of our complex relationship with food.