# Yummy-Looking Foods That Taste Absolutely Awful **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 7, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023 "2012-09-07T18:47:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/41 "2012-09-08T21:37:12Z")
Any birthday cake that cost less than $50 (butter is expensive) tastes pretty nasty. Well, sometimes the cake is OK, but the frosting always tastes like year-old Crisco mixed with all the sugar in the world. **Alice** , you have at least one ally. Mango is perplexing because it tastes like fruity, sweet awesomeness, but with an undertone of body odor. Also agreed on Whole Foods. Everything is tasteless and **DRY**. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/42 "2012-09-08T23:58:04Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > That reminds me - mango is meh or bleh. Used to hate it, then could tolerate it in things/mango ice cream, etc. There was a thread awhile back that recommended a different variety, and that was pretty good, so I’m coming around, maybe. I know where you’re coming from here. Normal mangos (the big green ones) are really tricky. A lot are just terrible and flavorless, and it’s also tricky to nail the ripeness. They’re awful if not ripe. Manilla / yellow mangos (the smaller, yellowier ones) are, on the other hand, almost invariably delicious. Softer, sweeter, less sour, and easy to tell when they’re ripe. Only available about four or five months of the year, though. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/43 "2012-09-09T00:12:08Z")
To my palate, there’s a musky note to mangoes that is also present in passionfruit, papaya and unwashed scrota. ^That’s not actually a joke. It’s the literal truth. ---
**Author:** ![JimmyFlair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@JimmyFlair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimmyFlair)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/44 "2012-09-09T00:27:24Z")
To me, mangoes always have a faint “cat pee” aftertaste and smell. So, we’ve got scrota, BO and cat pee. We should start a poll - “What disgusting undertone do YOU detect in mango?” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/45 "2012-09-09T01:43:20Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > Marzipan. Looks like fruit, tastes like chalk. I was so looking forward to trying marzipan the first time. Can’t remember if there was a second time but it had all the appeal of silly putty. I may give it one more try the next time I’m spackling a wall. At least I’ll know what to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/46 "2012-09-09T01:46:58Z")
> [@JimmyFlair](#): > > To me, mangoes always have a faint “cat pee” aftertaste and smell. > > So, we’ve got scrota, BO and cat pee. We should start a poll - “What disgusting undertone do YOU detect in mango?” 🙂 Feet. as to the ops question, I’d like to nominate beets. Looks like candy. Not a pleasant taste. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/47 "2012-09-09T07:05:29Z")
I’m on the “I wish I liked papaya but I don’t” bandwagon. Either it is weirdly dry (the really deep reddish orange ones) or has a… I dont know vegetable is how I describe it… like the pulp left over when you make soup stock from a bunch of veg peels and ends. But you know, every once in a while I really really want to like one and add it to my fruit salad. But no, it tastes nasty. Yuck. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/48 "2012-09-09T08:32:09Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Feet. > > as to the ops question, I’d like to nominate beets. Looks like candy. Not a pleasant taste. I’d hate to be the “you’re not trying it right” guy, but baked fresh beets are way better than the canned stuff, if you’ve never tried it. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/49 "2012-09-09T20:34:02Z")
A Domino’s pizza (the ad photos)…they look delicious, but bite into one…its like eating moldy cardboard:( ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/50 "2012-09-09T20:49:31Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > I’d hate to be the “you’re not trying it right” guy, but baked fresh beets are way better than the canned stuff, if you’ve never tried it. That’s certainly possible. We have them at Thanksgiving from time to time and I try one. Seems to me I’ve tossed them into a pot from time to time when the recipe called for it. They’re certainly better than brussel sprouts which I generally find too bitter. I’m sure that’s another “you’re not trying it right” food. ---
**Author:** ![Questioning\_Zion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/58956e/32.png) [@Questioning\_Zion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Questioning_Zion)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/51 "2012-09-09T21:04:00Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Flan. When I was in high school Spanish class, I tried flan on 3 different occasions (homemade by classmates’ mothers, and then at a restaurant). It was equally bland all 3 times. It just didn’t taste like anything. It was like eating air-flavored custard. But it LOOKED so good! ☹ > > Maybe I would appreciate flan now that my palate is more mature. But it disappointed me greatly at the time. All the taste in Mexican food seems to be in the hot, spicy entrees. The deserts leave us Yanks feeling unfulfilled, however, not just flan. All of the cookies and other treats with the “Bimbo” label are just nowhere as sweet as Hostess. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/52 "2012-09-09T21:20:01Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > A Domino’s pizza (the ad photos)..they look delicious, but bite into one..its like eating moldy cardboard:( Have you tried them in the past few years? I had Domino’s a couple month’s ago and while it wasn’t the best pizza ever, it didn’t taste like cardboard. It tasted like they used to taste in the 90s. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/53 "2012-09-09T21:21:20Z")
Strawberries. They look good, they smell delicious. Taste awful, to me anyway. I wish I liked more fruit. I like veggies, even the ones most people hate (lima beans, brussels sprouts). Most fruits look pretty, most smell wonderful, I wish they tasted that way. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/54 "2012-09-09T21:36:45Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > That’s certainly possible. We have them at Thanksgiving from time to time and I try one. Seems to me I’ve tossed them into a pot from time to time when the recipe called for it. They’re certainly better than brussel sprouts which I generally find too bitter. I’m sure that’s another “you’re not trying it right” food. Actually, yes. I used to hate brussel sprouts, but then I had them roasted in olive oil (or bacon grease) until brown and crispy, and now I literally crave them a couple of times a week. Can’t get enough of those brussel sprouts. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/55 "2012-09-09T21:59:57Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > A Domino’s pizza (the ad photos)..they look delicious, but bite into one..its like eating moldy cardboard:( Try eating the actual pizza and not just the photos? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/56 "2012-09-10T02:52:49Z")
> [@Questioning\_Zion](#): > > All the taste in Mexican food seems to be in the hot, spicy entrees. The deserts leave us Yanks feeling unfulfilled, however, not just flan. > > All of the cookies and other treats with the “Bimbo” label are just nowhere as sweet as Hostess. Mexican? Bimbo owns half the brands in the US, including Orowheat, Thomas’, Boboli, and Sara Frickin’ Lee. The Minutemen nutjobs are right! The wagon wheels Bimbo branded are good, but literally covered in sugar. I wouldn’t call it non-sweet. > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Have you tried them in the past few years? I had Domino’s a couple month’s ago and while it wasn’t the best pizza ever, it didn’t taste like cardboard. It tasted like they used to taste in the 90s. A year or two ago, they redid things, and used a reverse psychology marketing theme: “we know we sucked, now we are trying to do better.” Last I tried it, Domino’s was fine. Less of a grease bucket than pepperoni from Pizza Hut or Little Caesar’s (last I tried, which is rare). > [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Actually, yes. I used to hate brussel sprouts, but then I had them roasted in olive oil (or bacon grease) until brown and crispy, and now I literally crave them a couple of times a week. Can’t get enough of those brussel sprouts. With chopped bacon! ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/57 "2012-09-10T03:13:14Z")
Oooh a new type of cheese. I love cheese! This looks all crumbly & delicious, what is it? _Goats cheese_ you say? Well, I’ll just try a bit and… It actually tastes just like an old Billy-goat smells. ☹ I’ll be over there letting my tastebuds sob for a while until they can face a nice bit of [blue brie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambozola)again. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/58 "2012-09-10T03:38:12Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > When I lived in NYC, I was not all that far from China Town and would often walk through there when I had a leisurely start to my day and just wanted to roam around. > > I found a Chinese pastry shop - yes, such a thing exists - and in the window were the most beautiful, colorful, interesting-looking little pastries I had ever seen. I bought about a dozen different pastries and took them back to my apartment. > > For anyone who has ever lived in China, correct me if I am wrong, but based upon this one Chinese pastry shop: > > 1. Chinese don’t particularly like sugar. I highly doubt there was even a half teaspoon of sugar in all twelve pastries combined that I bought that day. > 2. Chinese have only one single recipe for a very dry, crumble at the touch, cookie that they simply mold into different forms to make them look like each one is something different. > 3. Despite the true artistry and beautiful colors and amazing shapes, these pastries tasted like clumps of dirt. > > So, yes - they would certainly be a beautiful addition to the decor of any dinner party, but they taste like crap. I think that applies to most of Asia. Working in IT we have lots of pot lucks with a majority of Indian dishes. I love damn near all of them, but I have learned to stay away from the desert table after many disappointments. The worst was ras gulla. It looked so good I grabbed a couple balls and couldn’t wait to try it. Only to find that it was a practical joke where they had put Styrofoam balls in melted cheep feet-flavored ice cream, . ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/59 "2012-09-10T03:47:12Z")
> [@sahirrnee](#): > > I wish I liked more fruit. > I like veggies, even the ones most people hate. Rest easy, usually people have the exact opposite problem; they like fruit (and all it’s sugar and empty calories) but can’t stomach a single vegetable. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023/60 "2012-09-10T03:48:50Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > To my palate, there’s a musky note to mangoes that is also present in passionfruit, papaya and unwashed scrota. > > ^That’s not actually a joke. It’s the literal truth. Why in the fuck are you tasting unwashed scrota?! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yummy-looking-foods-that-taste-absolutely-awful/634023.md?page=4)