Why is ethanol so tasty?

Submitted ⁨⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨Una@europe.pub⁩ to ⁨nostupidquestions@lemmy.world⁩

I just love the taste of ethanol, I once tried ethanol for disinfection and it was so good. And I always drink alcohol purely for taste, I drink it very rarely and when I do it is for taste. But like it is so tasty. And I love bitter and all sorts of strong tastes. Now I will not drink alcohol too much because I do not love getting drunk, and especially not disinfection alcohol because of toxicity it was just taste test, but why is it so tasty??

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Morphite88@thelemmy.club ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Have you tried other sugar alcohols? (Erythritol, Xylitol, Sorbitol, etc) They’re typically used as calorie-free sugar alternatives.

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I’m not exactly sure if I did. But I tried many alcoholic drinks and they were all tasty and I once tried alcohol for disinfection that I used in 2020 and to disinfect and it was tasty. Like such a shame alcohol is toxic.
  
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Bongles@lemmy.zip ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Fascinating, I drink alcohol solely to get drunk. Absolutely hate the taste. There are levels to it of course, I prefer bourbon to scotch for example. But none of it, shy of the fruity (usually) drinks that cover up the alcohol flavors, do i actually enjoy drinking.

Different strokes I guess.

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I love taste of any alcohol, from sugary alcoholic drinks to alcohol for disinfections it’s just tasty. I also love drinking tonic water by itself and love eating bitter fruits like Aronia
  
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Dasus@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Yeah I’m not gonna believe this before I see you drinking 80% alcohol without making a sour face.

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  I rarely drink, but the taste is great. And I did drank ethanol for disinfection once, not sure exact percentage but it definitely was tasty. shame alcohol makes me drunk, I hate it
  
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  - Dasus@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
    Image
    
    When you talk about “ethanol for disinfection”, do you mean denatured alcohol? Because if so, I believe you even less.
    
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Devmapall@lemmy.zip ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
I recently drank a rose flavored sparkling water (Waterloo brand I think) that tasted almost exactly like alcohol (and rose I guess). I took one sip and had to throw the rest out.

You might like it for the taste and none of the effects.

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Yay, you know what I LOVED as a child. Candies that are filled with liquor, they are so tasty.
  
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DomeGuy@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Potable Alcohol is tasty for much the same reason fat and carbs are tasty – it’s calorically dense.

It’s also habit forming, much like caffeine or nicotine or THC,.in that it causes a temporary but enjoyable alteration of our neurochemistry.

(It can also be addictive like nicotine, in that regular use can lead to illness-like withdrawal symptoms.)

And, it’s also a solvent with distinct properties to water, allowing for preparations with distinctly different tastes from other foods. Which makes alcohol also slightly like salt or spices, in that it changes how other foods taste.

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  That’s interesting, thanks
  
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nimpnin@sopuli.xyz ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Never heard of this and cannot relate, maybe the better phrasing would be “why do I like the taste of ethanol so much”.

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celeste@kbin.earth ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
https://www.discovermagazine.com/why-do-humans-have-a-taste-for-alcohol-43579

The theory in this article is that ethanol indicates a higher caloric density in fruit, which makes that fruit more desirable when you're struggling to get enough to eat. I have no idea if this is true, but it's one possible reason I guess.

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Interesting, I rarely drink alcohol, but when I do in small amounts I kinda get hungry. Honestly I wish there is some non alcoholic drink that has the same taste as pure ethanol has
  
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DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
This you?

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  No, gasoline too toxic for me… But sometimes smell
  
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Kyrgizion@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Hmm, I’ve always hated the taste unless it’s very subtle. Different strokes.

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Interesting, idk I love it. Probably in minority but can’t find reason for why I might love the taste on internet, tried posting on reddit (bigger population) and got removed for ‘rant or loaded question’ so asked here but I honestly love the taste, unfortunately alcohol can be toxic so I can’t drink it and I don’t like being drunk for many reasons so I wish there is some kind of non alcoholic drink that has the taste of ethanol but is not toxic
  
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Perspectivist@feddit.uk ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Because you’re wired that way. It’s not universally tasty, but it is to some individuals. I personally don’t like the taste at all - I only want the effect.

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- Una@europe.pub ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  Ah, thanks. Best part is I drink alcohol like maybe once a month or less and still tasty
  
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