A lot of people in the comments can't seem to make the distinction between what they have been fed since they were little and that they are used to, and what is good, or tastes good.

[–] abraxas@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Most people who eat meat also eat some subset of vegetables and know they like/hate some other subset of vegetables.

The human body loves getting addicted to the unhealthy sugar carbs found in some plants, but our taste buds do tend to have a healthier long-term relationship with the umami balance you get more easily from meats and seafoods.

[–] dottedgreenline@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My comment was more about the knee-jerk reaction to new ideas and new ways of looking at things you may think you are already familiar with.

[–] abraxas@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 year ago

Well, yes. It's doubly true with food because our tastebuds tend towards liking the foods we are used to eating.

[–] ParsnipWitch@feddit.de -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This can only be because you probably have no idea how to cook and always eat and buy the same dishes and ingredients all the time. Otherwise I have no idea how you would arrive at that conclusion.

[–] abraxas@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

...well, I did audit a culinary program when my wife took it. I have restauranteers in my family. I could probably survive in a small restaurant kitchen. But I guess I don't know how to cook :)

(fixed that part of my reply was to the wrong comment)

As for umami, it is the most stable flavor profile. You can get umami outside of meat, but like the protein you get out of meat, it requires a tremendous amount of effort and processing. And even then, my favorite way of making tofu involves just a little bit of bacon fat. And after I eat an incredible plate of falafal, I still want a nice cut of beef on the main plate.

I've probably eaten a well-above-average variety of meals from almost every culture (in some cases, blessed with the chance to eat in the country in question)... and yet, as enjoyable as the vegan ones are they are at best a shadow of themselves. The "not fake meat" ones are far better, but I rate food on quality. If "A+B" is simply a better meal than "A", then that speaks volumes. Most vegan or meatless meals are "A", and adding "B" elevates them. "B" usually happens to be an animal product.

Now IF I had some sort of moral or religious requirement to avoid meat, there are "A"s that would be good enough. I've had some Indian coworkers wow me with some of their meat-free food. But I ethically feel that eating meat is a good thing, so I have to admit that the best Samosa I've had was lamb and not veggie.

[–] ParsnipWitch@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Sorry, I am not convinced. Someone who can't find umami flavour in plant based food easily isn't a good cook. You perhaps reach a satisfying result when you stay in your area of expertise, which is cooking meat based dishes. That might make your job a cook, but it certainly does not make you good at it.

But I ethically feel that eating meat is a good thing

I am very interested in how you argue it's "ethically good" to breed lifeforms just to have them suffer and then eat them.

[–] abraxas@lemmy.ml -3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I kinda hoped moving away from reddit would lead to less "you hold a different view than me so you must be an absolute idiot". I suppose I'm sorely disappointed.

[–] ParsnipWitch@feddit.de 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I never called you an idiot or even implied anything like that.

[–] abraxas@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 year ago

Re-read your previous comment and try to consider why I might have taken it that way. Otherwise, have a great day.