Acquired taste

An acquired taste often refers to an appreciation for a food or beverage that is unlikely to be enjoyed, in part or in full, by a person who has not had substantial exposure to it, usually because of some unfamiliar aspect of the food or beverage, including a strong or strange odor (e.g. stinky tofu), taste (such as bitter teas or hot spices), or appearance. The process of “acquiring” a taste involves consuming a food or beverage in the hope of learning to enjoy it. In most cases, this introductory period is considered worthwhile, as many of the world's delicacies are considered to be acquired tastes. For examples of such, a list of acquired tastes is available.

Acquired taste may also refer aesthetic tastes, such as taste in music or other forms of art. For more on this form of taste, see the article taste (sociology). A connoisseur is one who is held to be an expert judge of taste in a certain area, for example a coffee connoisseur.