Most of us have strong food preferences. However, certain meals are universally hated. In fact, Instacart found that one fishy component was the most loathed cuisine in America after surveying over 2,000 people.
Anchovies were the most loathed food in this study, with 43% of 18-44-year-olds and 56% of 45-year-olds saying they hate them. On the other hand, 43% of men detest anchovies while 58% of women do.
Instacart says D.C., New Mexico, Massachusetts, Oregon, and New York order the most anchovies. However, Missouri, Indiana, Alabama, North Dakota, and Iowa citizens order the least.
According to The Independent, 44% of UK diners couldn't handle anchovies in 2014, placing them at the top of the list.
Instacart's trends specialist, Laurentia Romaniuk, stated that anchovies' "briny, fishy flavor profile." Oysters and black licorice are also among the most despised foods "Chewy textures can be difficult for some.
The complexity of these various aromas and sensations is likely why they're at the top of the list and why white bread isn't."
Beyond that, NPR's Kitchen Window highlighted that "[a]nchovies, those scary slivers of canned fish, have a taste so pungent, so intensely fishy and salty that when served improperly, they can make the heartiest eater recoil from their punch."
If you've visited Portugal or Italy, you may have unexpectedly enjoyed anchovies in your lunch. Although it may have been owing to preparation, there's another reason they may have tasted different than U.S. ones.
Because Americans are used to industrial anchovies. They're right. They're terrible "Gustiamo president Beatrice Ughi told The Wall Street Journal.
That might suggest you don't detest fish as much as you thought. Maybe you need to try better anchovies in a tasty dish instead than on your Friday night pizza.