Why Some People Think Beets Taste Like Dirt

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If You Hate Beets, You Can Probably Blame Your Genetics By Laura Christine Allan Nov. 10, 2025 2:20 pm EST

Chances are you either love beets or hate them, and if you're on the latter side, you really hate them. There doesn't ever seem to be much middle ground. It could be that you hate beets because they have a weird texture, especially when they're canned. Maybe you don't like them because their stains are so difficult to remove from cutting boards and clothing. But most likely, you don't like beets because you think they taste just like dirt.

For many, food dislikes come from a lack of exposure in childhood or a bad experience you just can't mentally shake. In the case of beets, however, it might have more to do with genetics. Science has recently discove