The #1 Most Disliked Food In America
When it comes to food preferences, there are certain items that seem to be universally disliked.
Instacart recently conducted a survey of over 2,000 Americans to uncover the most hated food in America, and the result might not come as a surprise: ANCHOVIES.
Anchovies earned the top spot as the most hated food, with a significant 43% of adults aged 18 to 44 expressing their strong distaste for the tinned fish.
This percentage increased to 56% among those over 45. The survey also found that 43% of men disliked anchovies, while 58% of women couldn't stand them.
Interestingly, states such as D.C., New Mexico, Massachusetts, Oregon, and New York were reported to order the most anchovies from Instacart, while Missouri, Indiana, Alabama, North Dakota, and Iowa were among the lowest.
This aversion to anchovies isn't limited to the United States.
A 2014 survey in the UK found that 44% of British diners couldn't stomach anchovies either, ranking them at the top of the list.
Laurentia Romaniuk, Instacart's trends expert, attributed this dislike to the "briny, fishy flavor profile" of anchovies, along with their chewy texture. Similar sentiments were echoed about other foods on the most-hated list, including oysters and black licorice. NPR's Kitchen Window described anchovies as having an intense, fishy, and salty taste that can be overpowering if not served correctly.
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Interestingly, the perception of anchovies can vary depending on their quality and preparation. In countries like Portugal and Italy, where they are enjoyed more favorably, the higher-quality anchovies and their proper incorporation into dishes contribute to a better experience.
Beatrice Ughi, president of the Italian import company Gustiamo, highlighted that industrial anchovies, which Americans are more accustomed to, can differ greatly from their higher-quality counterparts.