The Cucumber Gene

Norinoco

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???!!

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

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!!

Sarky

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

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.

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.

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

Alun

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

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.

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!