How to sweeten up bitter vegies
If you're sensitive to bitter foods, that might explain why you're not eating your veggies. Learn how you can trick your taste buds.
Do you drink your coffee black while others stir in spoonfuls of sugar? Do you prefer the bite of dark chocolate to that of milk chocolate?
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According to the experts, people don't live in the same taste worlds. We vary in our ability to taste bitterness, which in turn translates into differences in our perception of the flavour components of food and what we like to eat.
Bitter foods range from coffee to grapefruit and many wholegrains, but vegetables are the biggest "culprit" for many people. Those who are less sensitive to bitterness are more likely to eat vegetables, because they can taste the more pleasing flavours in these foods. But if you can't detect the subtle hints of sweetness in a stalk of asparagus and you have to force yourself to consume broccoli and cabbage, don't despair. There are ways to minimise the bitter taste.
Cooking & taste
Cooking is an important tool in altering taste. Boiling leafy greens such as silverbeet in water for 2 minutes, then sautéing in oil with garlic greatly improves their palatability. In addition, adding salty, sweet or sour flavorings helps block bitterness, so try a little salt or a squeeze of lemon. Other good toppings for bitter veggies include soy sauce, mild-flavored vinegar or honey. Another strategy is roasting vegetables or caramelizing them, which can produce delicious results as long as they're not overcooked (this tends to intensify their less pleasing flavours).
Eat your veggies
Practitioners of alternative medicine have long believed that bitter foods like lettuce and celery aid in weight loss by increasing the rate at which the liver breaks down fat. Conventional nutritionists have yet to unearth any science that backs up these beliefs, but they do agree on the bottom line: Vegetables are an important part of any weight loss plan, given that they are low in kilojoules yet satisfying due to their high fibre and water content.
Some good news for vegetable haters is that you tend to become less fussy about bitter flavour as you get older. Unfortunately, many people think they don't like vegetables since when they first tried them, their taste buds weren't fully developed. So if you have avoided your greens since childhood, give them another try — you might be pleasantly surprised.
Check out these recipes from our archive to inspire you in the kitchen:
Check out our In season series for tips on buying and preparing all kinds of fruits and vegetables.
Subscriber Highlight: Want to whip up something new tonight for dinner? Browse the Community Recipe Swap to find Community Users' best veggie recipes.
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