During our recent culinary tour, A Taste of LeBerry in the central region of France, we did experience a couple of dishes that were not enjoyed by everyone.  I know that "tasting" something new and different can be quite challenging to our tastebuds, sometimes because it just doesn't match up with what we would normally want to eat.  Sometimes, there are other aspects of a food such as texture, smell, color, cooking technique or presentation that makes the dish unappealing.  As I've said before, our personal food culture is a very intimate experience that says alot about who we are. 

When trying a new dish, I always try to be respectful of whomever has prepared the dish.  My father taught me that the one who cooks the food spent the time and cared to prepare the food and that we should be thankful and appreciative that we have been served by that person.  I agree, even if I don't really enjoy the food.  That's just part of my personal food culture.  He always said, you should at least eat a couple of bites, regardless of what you think of the dish.  And, if possible, you should finish the dish with an attitude of gratitude, if anything, for their time and service. 

Fine tastes, or not, high quality, or not, it's not a bad practice to be thankful and apprectiative that we do have food choices and the power to make choices that reflect our personal likes and dislikes.  I really do believe that as we, primarily food consumers, exercise a more educated and responsible part in what types of food that we consume as a scociety, we can influence how food is produced and what our sources of food will be.

All that said, I found an article that I thought interesting and entertaining because it demonstrates that there are always new food sources to discover and that often, how that food source is introduced to the consuming market will determine it's commercial success.

Bon Apetit!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38801007/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition