# Tasteless or nearly tasteless foods **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 9, 2011, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705 "2011-09-09T07:49:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/81 "2011-09-11T19:39:41Z")
It gives the dish texture, mouth feel. A hard slice of cheddar might taste better, but the texture wouldn’t be the same. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/82 "2011-09-12T00:41:34Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Tofu. It tastes of nothing (well no, it does have a unique, subtle flavor on its own), but that’s actually a good thing. It’s like a sponge that absorbs the flavor of anything you cook it with. _Exactly_ what I was going to say. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/83 "2011-09-12T00:52:39Z")
mushrooms, at least the common varieties old in the US. Eaten alone, they are very bland, with perhaps a vague nuttiness. Eaten on pizza, it produces a je ne sais quoi synergy. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/84 "2011-09-12T13:25:07Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Celery is far from tasteless–so far that it’s often added to broths as a flavoring agent and then removed before serving. Its texture leaves a lot to be desired, IMO, but not flavorless. > > In the porridge camp, white grits are pretty flavorless, before the addition of salt, pepper, butter, and cheese. I’ve heard people say that so often that I wonder if they just can’t taste it. Also, only cooked cucumber is tasteless: and that’s only if you cook it too fast or don’t let it brown at all. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/85 "2011-09-12T13:58:12Z")
I’m unsure of what people are talking about when they say “rice cakes”. Do they mean the agglomeration of puffed rice into disc-like patties, or do they mean dried omochi rectangles, which are also known as “rice cakes”. I’ve heard both described as “rice cakes”. I like the former, and barely tolerate the latter. For me, the most tasteless food is konnyaku gel - it has a very, very, vague sense of salt, but that’s it. > **[Konjac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konjac)** > > Konjac (or konjak, English: /ˈkɒnjæk, ˈkɒndʒæk/ KON-yak, KON-jak) and konnyaku are common names of Amorphophallus konjac, a species native to Yunnan in China which has an edible corm. It is also known as konjaku, konnyaku potato, devil's tongue, voodoo lily, snake palm, or elephant yam (though this name is also used for A. paeoniifolius). > It is cultivated in warm subtropical to tropical areas of East and Southeast Asia, from China and Japan south to Indonesia and Vietnam (USDA hardiness zone ... ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/86 "2011-09-12T14:13:59Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > I’m unsure of what people are talking about when they say “rice cakes”. Do they mean the agglomeration of puffed rice into disc-like patties, or do they mean dried omochi rectangles, which are also known as “rice cakes”. The first one. The dry puffed-rice discs are commonly available in American supermarkets and are often part of weight-loss programs. ---
**Author:** ![tadtooornamental](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@tadtooornamental](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tadtooornamental)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/87 "2011-09-26T23:56:21Z")
Everyone bitches about rice cakes, but I love them! They’re like big, fluffy crackers. My tasteless votes go to starfruit, instant cream of wheat and paprika, which I’ve heard is fabulous and multipurpose, but I, apparently, cannot taste it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/88 "2011-09-27T00:03:44Z")
> [@tadtooornamental](#): > > paprika, which I’ve heard is fabulous and multipurpose, but I, apparently, cannot taste it. Me neither. ---
**Author:** ![Vicullum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/6de8d8/32.png) [@Vicullum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicullum)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/89 "2011-09-27T00:08:01Z")
Another vote for rice cakes. Way back in the days of usenet I once made a post on alt.fan.cecil-adams asking if anyone actually liked them. I was surprised that a few people affirmed that they liked the taste of styrofoam. ---
**Author:** ![Teufelblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@Teufelblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teufelblitz)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/90 "2011-09-27T01:07:05Z")
Can’t taste paprika? I am nearly at a loss for words. Of course, I’m one of those who tastes cilantro as a big mouthful of palmolive, so I understand not everyone interprets things the same. But to not taste it at all? ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/91 "2011-09-27T04:01:27Z")
> [@tadtooornamental](#): > > paprika, which I’ve heard is fabulous and multipurpose, but I, apparently, cannot taste it. The SO loves it, I cannot taste it either, so I buy smoked paprika, then I can at least tell by the smoke flavor that I added it. It is, however, like sprinkles for savory foods. The pretty red at least looks good on potato salad or deviled eggs. ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/92 "2011-09-27T04:03:41Z")
> [@Teufelblitz](#): > > But to not taste it at all? Can’t taste it at all. I promise. I always thought people used it as a coloring agent.😕 ETA: I have tried it straight. Can’t taste anything, just a powedery substance on the tongue and red residue on my teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/93 "2011-09-27T04:30:41Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > My vote? Star fruit. Crisp texture, gorgeous to slice, but … no flavor. None. Star fruit probably has the most taste variance of any food that I have tasted. It can be unedibly sour, bland, or sweet, flavorful, and refreshing. But it seems like the odds of getting a good one are 1 in 10 or less. My vote is for those styrofoam-like rice noodles that you sometimes get as a “bed” for your food at asian/asian fusion restaurants. They suck the flavor out of anything and give nothing in return. For those who can’t taste paprika, you should try a good smoked paprika or pimenton de la vera. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/94 "2011-09-27T04:51:04Z")
> [@loshan](#): > > Can’t taste it at all. I promise. I always thought people used it as a coloring agent.😕 > ETA: I have tried it straight. Can’t taste anything, just a powedery substance on the tongue and red residue on my teeth. How fresh is your jar of paprika? Like any other spice it loses taste with age. I like the null flavored foods like cream of wheat, polenta, rice cakes, noodles - they absorb flavors when cooked properly with other ingredients, and make a nice neutral base for hot stuff like chili and curries. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/95 "2011-09-27T15:02:37Z")
> [@loshan](#): > > Can’t taste it at all. I promise. I always thought people used it as a coloring agent.😕 > ETA: I have tried it straight. Can’t taste anything, just a powedery substance on the tongue and red residue on my teeth. Amen. You mean paprika has a taste? What does it taste like? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/96 "2011-09-27T15:18:19Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Amen. You mean paprika has a taste? > > What does it taste like? From reading Wikipedia, I gather it’s supposed to taste like either sweet peppers or chili peppers or some member of the capsicum family, but I got nuthin’. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/97 "2011-09-27T15:23:16Z")
I wonder, do all you non-paprika tasting people, like me, like to eat really spicy food? ---
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/98 "2011-09-27T16:41:41Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I wonder, do all you non-paprika tasting people, like me, like to eat really spicy food? Yes. Honestly, I use paprika as a coloring agent only. Since I don’t put tomatoes in my chili, I use a lot of paprika to make it look more normal. Others in my flavor-free category include: Rice cakes (eww) Pasta Wheat bread Cream of wheat or of rice Instant potatoes Bakers’ cheese ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/99 "2011-09-27T17:57:16Z")
> [@](#): > > How fresh is your jar of paprika? Like any other spice it loses taste with age. Like I said, the SO likes it and can taste it, so I buy good smoked paprika for him and go through it fairly quickly. The only thing I can taste of the smoked paprika is the smoke flavor. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705/100 "2011-09-27T20:59:56Z")
Apparently, many varieties of [animal penis](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux2qtMduc8U). At least without chili sauce. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tasteless-or-nearly-tasteless-foods/595705.md?page=6)