# Why are mushrooms so polarizing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 12, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166 "2013-05-12T18:51:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/121 "2015-11-11T22:07:33Z")
I tried Blewits at the weekend and didn’t like them (too scented and too slippery). I guess that’s a sample of what it must be like for people who don’t like the other kinds of mushrooms that I do like. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/122 "2015-11-11T22:26:41Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Well, there’s two-and-a-half pages of people trying to explain it. If you still don’t understand it, I think it’s on you. More like two and a half pages of people failing to explain it, because there is no understanding it beyond _De gustibus non est disputandum_. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/123 "2015-11-11T22:28:48Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > _Gills_!I can’t quite find the words but mushrooms have a certain evil “quality”. You mean, like a fish? A tasty, delicious, non-evil fish? _shrug_ ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2015, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/124 "2015-11-12T01:40:20Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > More like two and a half pages of people failing to explain it, because there is no understanding it beyond _De gustibus non est disputandum_. I can tell you exactly why I don’t like mushrooms. I know many mushrooms come in many different nuanced, uh, flavors, I guess. They’re delicate and have great, um, whatever. But ALL mushrooms have a same certain base, earthy flavor that is essential to their nature. THIS is the flavor I used to puke up when eating psilocybin mushrooms in a different life, long, long ago. Still makes me gag. Still having trouble with tequila too, but that’s another story. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2015, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/125 "2015-11-12T02:59:27Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I love mushrooms. I’m eating several marinated ones right now, in fact. I love the idea of Russians and other Eastern Europeans eating platters of pickled mushrooms and knocking them back with iced vodka. For some reason, the image of the giant talking cat in **The Master and Margarita** always comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/126 "2015-11-12T03:05:27Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > You mean, like a fish? A tasty, delicious, non-evil fish? _shrug_ First off, Mr(Ms.?) \*\*gnoitall \*\*(I’ve never said that to a person who’s name was actually "Mr Know it All!) comparing them to fish is really not helping your case, disgusting things that \*they \*are(though in this case, it’s actually an insult to fish ). The gills on the fungus - _FUNGUS, for crying outloud_! - are,among other things eerily similar to [the collars](https://designilike.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/360704happy-clown-wearing-hat-posters.jpg) worn by creepy ass clowns, and I think we can all agree that’s no coincidence. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2015, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/127 "2015-11-12T07:32:29Z")
I have problems with food textures like you guys are describing. But the mushrooms I’m familiar with don’t have that texture. What you describe sounds like the texture of non-fish seafood. ---
**Author:** ![HaystackCaldoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9a140/32.png) [@HaystackCaldoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HaystackCaldoon)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/128 "2017-07-09T15:11:16Z")
Agaricus bisporus (aka white/button mushroom, crimini, and portobello) smells and tastes like rotten death to me when it’s presented as pizza topping or stuffed portobello. If it’s offered as part of a savory/salty sauce, on the other hand, it’s fine to my palate. I love eating shiitake mushrooms raw – there is none of the foul element that bugs me with A. bisporus. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/129 "2017-07-10T17:20:40Z")
I love mushrooms. Try dipping them in hummus. Yum! > [@panache45](#): > > Mushrooms aren’t the only “polarizing” foods. There are many others, like broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts, peanut butter, root beer, anchovies, haggis, etc. > > For the record, I LOVE all of these foods, except haggis. Wait, _peanut butter_? The only real issue over it seems to be allergies. ---
**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:** [July 10, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/130 "2017-07-10T18:02:35Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Wait, _peanut butter_? The only real issue over it seems to be allergies. I have found it quite polarizing with people from outside the US, especially in the “sweet” manner that we tend to use it (also, with the American style of peanut butter, which is basically like peanut Crisco with sugar. That said, that’s the kind of peanut butter I like, since I grew up with it.) ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/131 "2017-07-10T18:51:40Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > I love the idea of Russians and other Eastern Europeans eating platters of pickled mushrooms and knocking them back with iced vodka. For some reason, the image of the giant talking cat in **The Master and Margarita** always comes to mind. I guess it depends on what kind of mushrooms are being consumed … ---
**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:** [July 10, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/132 "2017-07-10T19:02:31Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I have found it quite polarizing with people from outside the US, especially in the “sweet” manner that we tend to use it (also, with the American style of peanut butter, which is basically like peanut Crisco with sugar. That said, that’s the kind of peanut butter I like, since I grew up with it.) My Scottish parents never “got” peanut butter at all, therefore I never really had much of it growing up. I don’t dislike it, but it’s really not something I go out of my way to eat. (It’s never in the cupboard.) ---
**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:** [July 10, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/133 "2017-07-10T21:49:28Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > I love the idea of Russians and other Eastern Europeans eating platters of pickled mushrooms and knocking them back with iced vodka. For some reason, the image of the giant talking cat in **The Master and Margarita** always comes to mind. It was pickled herring in my (Polish) family, but pickled mushrooms would not be out of place, either. ---
**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:** [July 11, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/134 "2017-07-11T00:12:43Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Wait, _peanut butter_? The only real issue over it seems to be allergies. I _loathe_ peanut butter- sight, smell and taste- in a way I do few other foods. Back on topic, I love things with mushrooms in them. Except pizza. The flavors just don’t play well together, for me. ---
**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:** [July 11, 2017, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/135 "2017-07-11T01:05:56Z")
I’m surprised by the mushroom lovers who don’t like it on pizza. I’m familiar with people who don’t like mushrooms–that makes sense to me. But if you like them, I would think pizza would be one of the perfect uses for mushrooms. I mean, mushrooms, cheese, tomatoes, and bread–they’re like made for each other! Doubly so when you add woody herbs like oregano or thyme. I’m a meat lover, but even I sometimes opt for a mushroom pizza instead of my usual sausage. ---
**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:** [July 11, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/136 "2017-07-11T01:57:23Z")
To be fair, I haven’t really found any special toppings that I like on your standard-type pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/137 "2017-07-11T02:18:56Z")
Thank you for reviving this zombie thread. Tomorrow, PICKLED MUSHROOMS WITH ICED VODKA!!! ---
**Author:** ![flcmichelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@flcmichelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flcmichelle)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/138 "2020-07-28T13:17:24Z")
Continuing the discussion from [Why are mushrooms so polarizing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166): The taste, texture, and smell are equally repulsive. I was introduced to them as a child and couldn’t stand them. I have tried them over the years in various forms and i still cannot have them in my food, smell them cooking, or taste it. No matter that someone sazs it takes the flavor of the food it is cooked with. I can taste the mushroom. It’s absolutely revolting in every respect and often makes me physically ill. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/139 "2020-07-28T13:33:13Z")
hi @flcmichelle I would say you are supposed to be able to taste the mushrooms, that’s why the recipe specifies mushrooms and not pieces of cardboard. If you don’t like them, that’s ok, best to avoid them completely in that case. Different species of mushrooms can have different flavors, though. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166/140 "2020-07-28T13:47:41Z")
Sorry to take 5 years getting back to you. Yes, yes it did work. I don’t know if the mushrooms actually helped, but they didn’t get in the way. Anyway, to finally answer the OP’s question, mushrooms are polarizing because they geometrically orient the oscillations of transverse waves. Among foods, this quality is common in eukaryotes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-mushrooms-so-polarizing/658166.md?page=8)