When it comes to food, the masses can get pretty worked up over their favorites and their most hated foods. Marriages have failed because of differences in hot dog condiment preferences. Friendships have ended after heated debates over Twizzlers versus Red Vines. Households have been divided by arguments on whether to refrigerate ketchup. There is even a dating app that matches people based on things they hate, like food.
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And just as foodies love to rave about their favorite flavor of fro yo, their most beloved 90s snack, their grandma's tamales, and the McRib, they also love to hate on the yucky, the slimy, the bland, and the just plain wrong.
We're not talking about hating on a particular restaurant like Chick-fil-A or Chipotle, or even disparaging foods like veggie burgers that most people don't actually eat. These are foods that people from Georgia to Maryland to Alaska call their least favorites.
We're not out to yuck anyone's yum, so if you love any one of these foods, we'd be happy to hand over our share and watch you enjoy it.
Here are 15 of the most hated foods in the United States.
1. Miracle Whip
According to Kraft, Miracle Whip is considered a "salad dressing" rather than mayonnaise because of its low oil content.
2. Avocado
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In spite of the popularity of this millennial favorite, many people really don't like the squishy texture of the avocado.
3. Cilantro
Scientifically speaking, 4-14% of people think that cilantro tastes exactly like soap. The reason actually seems to be a shared group of genes that can specifically pick up the scent shared by both cilantro and soap.
4. Black Licorice
While nations like Finland and Sweden love the stuff, here in the United States, black licorice is counted solidly as a most hated food, especially in Florida.
5. Pineapple Pizza
Pineapple by itself is excellent. It's good and good for you. But that doesn't mean it belongs on pizza, unless maybe you're in Hawaii.
6. Anchovies
While they may not be a favorite for everyone, anchovies are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. They're also salty and fishy and most hated by many people.
7. Cottage Cheese
Dairy should not be chunky. We know that cottage cheese is good for you, but it's just not good.
8. Tuna Salad
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Tuna salad is objectively terrible, which is why we can't stand it when someone brown bags it for lunch at the office.
9. Candy Corn
There are multiple contenders for favorite Halloween candy, but almost everyone agrees that candy corn is the worst. It's corn syrup and sugar that tastes waxy and dry, which is why it definitely makes the most hated foods list.
10. Vienna Sausages
These canned sausages are definitely not from Vienna.
11. Brussels sprouts
This vegetable inspires a lot of haters from way back. Roast them up and you'll never say, "yuck" again.
12. Liver
It's a recipe you had to grow up with. If the thought of eating liver wasn't enough to gross out any kid, the fact that it was considered something you had to eat for your own good put liver on the most hated food list.
13. Circus Peanuts
Did you know that circus peanuts are banana-flavored? To us, they taste like banana-flavored Styrofoam.
14. Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is made with a kind of mold that gives it a distinctive and strong smell and taste. Sure, there are people who love blue cheese for exactly those reasons, but they're wrong.
15. Eggplant
Many people hate the slimy texture of eggplant. Even roasting this vegetable in olive oil can't take away that taste, which is why it makes the most hated foods list.
This article was originally published on July 27, 2018.
