7 common ingredients that people can't stand in their food

Reddit users discuss deceptively common ingredients that can ruin a meal, such as artificial sweeteners and lavender.

Strong flavors like fennel and black olives can polarize diners, impacting their enjoyment of a dish.

Texture and overpowering tastes, like seafood shells and fish oil, can also turn a meal from enjoyable to unpleasant for some individuals.

People have remarkably strong feelings about what goes onto their plates. Some like to keep their foods separate, while others are hypersensitive to things like the lingering taste of dishwashing soap on just-cleaned ceramics. In a thread on r/AskReddit , redditors are chiming in to answer a culinary question that haunts many home chefs and restaurant patrons: What is a deceptively common ingredient that completely ruins a meal, no matter how small the amount?

Adding a touch of sweetness to a beverage or a baked good is standard practice, but the exact source of that sweetness can throw off sensitive palates.

Botanical and floral elements are often utilized to elevate a culinary experience. When implemented incorrectly, though, these fragrant additions can transport the diner straight to a laundromat.

Certain seasonings offer a distinct flavor profile that is nearly impossible to mask. Such strong notes inevitably draw battle lines.

Pizza toppings and salad additions provide a wide scope for experimentation. Some savory bites, however, are renowned for leaving behind a lingering unpleasantness.

Texture plays a vital role in how food is enjoyed. Encountering unexpected, crunchy remnants during dinner can set off certain folks.

A fresh garnish can bring bright color and vibrant flavor. Yet science proves that an individual's DNA directly influences how a certain leafy herb is perceived on the tongue.

Certain dietary supplements are celebrated for their health benefits but are notoriously difficult to incorporate into standard recipes. Highly concentrated additions have a tendency to overpower even the most resilient dishes.

Everyone has their own specific flavor aversions, and sometimes simply trying to pluck an unwanted ingredient out of the dish does not work. Once you identify a culinary culprit, the easiest solution might just be preparing meals at home to your exact specifications.

What ingredient sends you heading straight for the nearest exit? Read the full list in r/AskReddit , and find more conversations like this in r/Cooking , r/food , and r/Baking .

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com .