# Foods That Taste Different Now than When You Were A Kid **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 3, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492 "2017-12-03T22:38:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/81 "2017-12-09T23:27:13Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > The senses of smell and taste change significantly as we age, and those changes tend to come earlier than most people think, i.e. by the mid 30’s there has been marked alteration in these perceptions. The sense of smell is so _very_ important in how the tastes of things are perceived, and olfactory sensitivity clearly deteriorates not just with age, but also in accordance with the severity and frequency of sinus/respiratory infections an individual has had. > > Keeping that in mind, my WAG is that well over half of the complaints typified in this thread are due to changes in the individual, rather than changes in the product. Yeah, I was probably in my mid-thirties when I first started tolerating small quantities of mustard. My sense of smell is still sharper than my kids’, though. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/82 "2017-12-10T01:14:42Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > As I’ve frequently complained – Breyer’s Vanilla Ice Cream. It used to be made of four ingredients – Milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla. You could read it on the side of the box. They even bragged about it in their advertising. > > Then I 2006 their corporate parents started screwing with the recipes for the ice creams, adding Tara gum and other gums and stabilizers. It makes a big difference in the consistency and the flavor. Now Breyer’s is just like most of the other ice creams out there, and I’ve stopped buying it. > > [Why We No Longer Eat Breyers Un-Natural Ice Cream](http://www.homemadehints.com/unnatural-breyers-ice-cream/) > There are still some basic ice creams out there, but you have to look for them. Breyers isn’t even technically ice cream anymore. Why someone would screw with a perfect recipe is utterly beside me. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/83 "2017-12-10T01:55:00Z")
Hostess has not been the same since they were sold to Bimbo–the primary ingredient now seems to be sawdust. Count Chocula cereal was, back when dirt was new, great. Then it feltched dead goats for a few decades, now it is not too bad. Whoever green lit not frying McDonalds fruit pies needs to be sent to McMurdo. Somebody with a brain works at Popeyes and Toxic Hell. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/84 "2017-12-10T02:00:24Z")
Turnips are much better now, but that isn’t saying much! Liver is still just as bad. Dark meat from fowl has become like white meat used to be, and white meat is now more like white bread. Strong cheeses are way better now! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/85 "2017-12-10T02:25:03Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Breyers isn’t even technically ice cream anymore. > > Why someone would screw with a perfect recipe is utterly beside me. Because those ‘simple ingredients’ was a marketing tool. Carrageen is a perfectly natural harmless product that keeps your ice cream from getting ickey in the freezer. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/86 "2017-12-10T02:30:52Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Because those ‘simple ingredients’ was a marketing tool. Carrageen is a perfectly natural harmless product that keeps your ice cream from getting ickey in the freezer. If it tastes like crap, why would you want it to last longer? ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/87 "2017-12-10T11:13:04Z")
Regarding Little Caeser’s pizza, a while back they started selling a “better” six dollar pizza that was advertised as having more cheese and pepperoni. I bought one thinking it would actually be that, but it was just really soggy and oily. About a month later they reintroduced the five dollar variety and now when you go in they ask if you want the five dollar or six dollar pizza. I once purchased one of each and there is a significant difference. I really enjoy the five dollar pizza (I would happily pay ten dollars for it) but I think the six dollar variety is nasty. Keep in mind that my preference is likely not representative of most people. Other than the above noted five dollar LC pepperoni pizza I am otherwise not a fan of pizza. It’s pretty much the only pizza I like, including all the mom and pop places people always rave about as being better than the chain pizzas. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/88 "2017-12-10T11:18:27Z")
I’ve always wondered if the current version of Coke tastes the same as it did before the New Coke debacle. I remember liking the original variety and I like the current version but I didn’t like New Coke. What I couldn’t say with any certainty is that even though I liked the original version and like the current version is if they both actually taste the same. What do you all think? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/89 "2017-12-10T13:20:16Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > **Cantaloupe**. I remember it being so flavorful and juicy as a kid. Today it has no flavor. I look like a creep when I buy cantaloupe, because I hold them right up to my nose and take big sniffs. If the stem end doesn’t have a smell, the melon’s gonna be awful. But if you can find a reasonably firm cantaloupe with a good smell, it’s gonna be amazing. Around here, they’re only worth buying in July (and maybe other summer months if you stretch it), so they’re competing against peaches, but we get a few cantaloupes every year and don’t regret it. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Because those ‘simple ingredients’ was a marketing tool. Carrageen is a perfectly natural harmless product that keeps your ice cream from getting ickey in the freezer. It’s harmless, but it changes the texture. The milk/cream/sugar/vanilla Breyers was perfect. Yeah, you had to eat it fast, but that was easy to do. ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/90 "2017-12-10T14:15:00Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > I’ve always wondered if the current version of Coke tastes the same as it did before the New Coke debacle. I remember liking the original variety and I like the current version but I didn’t like New Coke. What I couldn’t say with any certainty is that even though I liked the original version and like the current version is if they both actually taste the same. What do you all think? My vote is that current Coke is different and soft drinks have not been the same since the 70s and the New Coke debacle and/or the change to high fructose corn syrup. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/91 "2017-12-10T15:20:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Because those ‘simple ingredients’ was a marketing tool. Carrageen is a perfectly natural harmless product that keeps your ice cream from getting ickey in the freezer. It’s harmless, and has almost no flavor, but it allows them to lower the butterfat content and it gives it a gooey texture. Breyers used be a nice premium-style ice cream. Now it’s just another nasty super-market brand. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/92 "2017-12-10T16:08:54Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Breyers isn’t even technically ice cream anymore. > > Why someone would screw with a perfect recipe is utterly beside me. it’s cheaper. that’s almost always the reason. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/93 "2017-12-10T17:55:43Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > It’s harmless, and has almost no flavor, but it allows them to lower the butterfat content and it gives it a gooey texture. > > Breyers used be a nice premium-style ice cream. Now it’s just another nasty super-market brand. What “premium” brands dont have a ingredient like carrageenan? ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/94 "2017-12-10T18:15:17Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > It’s harmless, and has almost no flavor, but it allows them to lower the butterfat content and it gives it a gooey texture. > > Breyers used be a nice premium-style ice cream. Now it’s just another nasty super-market brand. The ‘natural’ ice cream in the supermarket tasted like sweet frozen milk to me. You need something unctuous like cream or buttermilk to give it a good mouth feel. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/95 "2017-12-10T18:18:42Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > What’s the six dollar pizza? Around here, we have the five dollar pizza, which is terrible, and the seven dollar pizza, which is (for Little Caesar’s) pretty awesome. The former is that crappy thin-crust stuff that, while not as bad as a New York or Italian style pizza, is pathetic, whereas the seven dollar pizza is a pretty close approximation of a Detroit style pie. Not quite to the level of Jet’s (limiting ourselves to fast food pizza), but much better than the flat stuff. Not as bad as Italian-style pizza??! What heresy is this? ---
**Author:** ![Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@Disgruntled\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disgruntled_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/96 "2017-12-10T18:20:43Z")
Bananas but then again they literally are different. I miss our old better tasting bananas. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/97 "2017-12-10T20:22:46Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > what do you mean, “not really pizza?” Some people seem to think the only “real” pizza is Neapolitan or New York style. Even Italy itself has thick, pan styles of pizza (see pizza al tegame, pizza romana, and Sicilian pizza, though some may quibble, because that’s called _sfincione_). And, yes, some of these are made in rectangular pans and cut into squares even! “Pizza” covers a lot of culinary real estate. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/98 "2017-12-10T20:53:19Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What “premium” brands dont have a ingredient like carrageenan? Some Haagen-Dazs flavors–e.g., vanilla, chocolate–don’t. They use egg yolks instead. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/99 "2017-12-11T01:54:16Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Not as bad as Italian-style pizza??! What heresy is this? I guess I should have qualified that as “mainland Italian-style pizza.” The Sicilian stuff is pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492/100 "2017-12-11T03:34:54Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Some Haagen-Dazs flavors–e.g., vanilla, chocolate–don’t. They use egg yolks instead. How is that better? Switch one natural ingredient for another, same purpose. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foods-that-taste-different-now-than-when-you-were-a-kid/803492.md?page=6)