"Bitter greens like radicchio, endive, and dandelion greens are often removed from salads by guests who do not appreciate their flavor. These chicories are an adult taste, often rejected by children."
"The bitterness in chicories comes from lactucopicrin, a natural defense against disease and predators, which is also said to have mild sedative effects. This compound is visible in the white 'milk' when cutting these greens."
"Many adults have come to appreciate bitterness in foods and drinks, similar to their enjoyment of dark chocolate, black coffee, and complex narratives in serious novels and movies."
Bitter greens, including chicories and brassicas, are often not favored by children but can be appreciated by adults. These vegetables contain natural chemicals that provide bitterness as a defense mechanism against pests and diseases. The bitterness in chicories comes from lactucopicrin, which may have sedative properties. While some adults develop a taste for these strong flavors, not everyone enjoys them. The appeal of bitterness can be likened to preferences for dark chocolate, black coffee, and complex narratives in literature and film.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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