Acidic, Spicy, and Bitter

Why are most toddlers disgusted by coffee while many adults are happy to drink it on a daily basis? We intuitively know that acidic, spicy, or bitter foods are an acquired taste. But what does this mean? Like our ancestors, many of us have initially steered away from these more challenging tastes since we are hardwired to associate them with poison and spoilage. Sooner or later, however, we are likely to find ourselves imitating an adult who enjoys these foods and eventually we acquire an appreciation for them as well. In this instance, the imitative instinct permits information about the value of acidic, spicy, and bitter foods to be passed on to the next generation.