The IPA: love or heartbreak in a bottle
If you have ever observed your friends to taste an India Pale Ale (IPA) with expressions of almost divine happiness, while you challenge you of bitterness, do not worry, you are not alone! What happens in your palate could be a genetic game that puts flavor to life.
The mystery of flavor and genes
A new study led by researcher John Hayes de Penn State has revealed that the perception of bitterness is not only a matter of taste, but of genetics. A considerable portion of the population, around 25%, has a version of the TAS2R38 gene, responsible for that unpleasant feeling of bitterness that some experience more intensity than others.
The science behind the bitter taste
Valerie Duffy, Colega de Hayes, clarifies that the way we perceive bitterness is related to the ability of bitter compounds to join our gustatory receptors. For her, it is a walk in the park: bitter vegetables know Dulce. Let’s be realistic: Who could resist that sweetness in a broccoli?
Less vegetable vegetables?
Duffy adopted a scientific attitude towards his heart, grouping volunteers to perform taste and genetic tests. The results were amazing. Those with less sensitivity to bitterness not only enjoyed more than the vegetables, but also consumed more than 200 extra portions per year compared to their bitter counterparts. That is a plate full of vegetables!
Generalizing bitterness
The interesting thing is that aversion to bitterness is not limited to bitter vegetables. Individuals who become sensitive to certain flavors seem to apply this experience to the entire range of green vegetables. Is it possible that a broccoli is affected by the bad reputation of his most bitter cousin?
Upbringing, culture and the art of choosing
Duffy transforms the conversation by including other factors into the mixture: not only biology, but also the context in which we grew up. Crying, family traditions and social environment play a crucial role in our food preferences. Everything is intertwined, from pleasures to aversions.
Of extreme beers to everyday
Reflecting on the evolution of beer preferences, it is interesting to note that the IPAS, which are now celebrated by their bold bitterness, were seen as a rarity two decades ago. Beers that decades ago were considered extreme have found a path to general acceptance. A palate that is educated, adapts and transforms, always in search of new experiences.
So, if you decide to avoid that IPA next time because it is too bitter, remember: your genetics could have something to do with it. Keep exploring! Do not limit yourself to what you perceive, because the world of flavors is as diverse as a color fair!
