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The Cucumber Gene

  • 02-04-2005 07:07PM
    #1
    Norinoco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 347 ✭✭


    Years back I heard that....
    There is a gene in everyone that dictates if you can taste a particular chemical ( dont know the chemical name! ) .....If you can taste this chemical then you will HATE cucumbers and if you cant taste the chemical then you will LOVE cucumber

    Apparently people who like cucumbers state that a cucumber tastes like an apple (???) - where was those who hate it ( like me ) think it tastes like cr*p.

    Anyone ever hear of this explanation before???!! :confused:


Comments

  • #2
    Sarn
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,162 ✭✭✭Sarn


    We did this experiment in biology a few years ago. Depending on how people reacted to tasting cucumber you were determined to be either a "taster" or "non-taster". A non-taster didn't taste any bitterness. There was a genetic reason for this but I don't remember what it was at this stage. Thankfully I'm a non-taster but I wouldn't say I love cucumber, it adds a bit of moisture to a salad/sandwich.

    For more info:
    http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/72/6/1424


  • #3
    Norinoco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 347 ✭✭Norinoco


    Thanks God for that - everyone I share this "amazing" fact with thinks Im crazy!! I'll be directing them to that link in future!! :)


  • #4
    Sarky
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31,967 ✭✭✭✭Sarky


    Cucumber is the vilest, most truly putrid thing one can taste.


  • #5
    Sangre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,221 ✭✭✭✭Sangre


    Yes, there is a gene that defines whehter you can taste the bitterness of a particular chemical found in cucumbers. I could most definetely taste that bitter chemical but I like cucumbers, nice and crunchy but I dont think they have any particularly strong taste.


  • #6
    Davey Devil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,230 ✭✭✭Davey Devil


    I'm the same. I can taste the bitterness in them. I used to hate them them now I find nice in a sandwich.


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  • #7
    Goodshape
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,488 ✭✭✭Goodshape


    Can't say I find them bitter but I would have thought there was a taste.

    Kind of an indescribable taste though.. could be just water and crunch O_o


  • #8
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 21,536 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    It must be a relation of the gene that makes your wee appear to smell funny after eating asparagus :)


  • #9
    Shabadu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,659 ✭✭✭Shabadu


    There's also a gene responsible for some people detesting the taste of saccharin. It's one of the reasons why 'diet' drinks producers switched to aspartame.


  • #10
    deedee lepoopoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 424 ✭✭deedee lepoopoo


    Yuk, saachairn hate that taste.

    I think the smell of cumcumbers is the nicest ever, it is so fresh, I wish they would bottle it!


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