It left a bitter taste in the mouth of the American farmers who produced the vegetable.
Dr Emma Uprichard from the University of Warwick published a study on food hates. It revealed common patterns in the foods British people reject.
They don't like milk puddings - semolina and rice pudding - often associated with school dinners of the 50s and 60s.
But it's not only bad memories that make us turn our noses up at certain foods. There are biological reasons too. Scientists researching genetic differences say there are various groups of ''tasters''.
The one they call ''super tasters'' are more likely to have strong aversions to bitter foods such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. I always keep my fingers crossed that none of my dinner party guests are in this group.
And food is about cultural diversity too. The British don't eat horse meat. Brazilians like a black bean stew with pork which, in the experience of a Brazilian cooking for friends here in London, isn't popular with Kurdish people.
Sometimes I think the life of a host would be easier if we could just serve everybody a simple omelette, seasoned with love and friendship.
What about you? If I invited you for dinner what would you like me to cook for you?
Quiz 測驗 1. Who banned broccoli from Air Force One?
US President George Bush senior.
2. British people don't like eating which foods?
Milk puddings, like semolina and rice pudding, and horse meat.
3. Who says there are different types of ''tasters''?
Scientists researching genetic differences.
4. What didn't the Kurdish guests at a dinner party like?
Brazilian black bean stew with pork.
5. What do you call habits people from different countries have?
Cultural diversity.
Glossary 词汇表 to walk on eggshells如履薄冰 picky好挑剔的 critic批評者 attitude態度 broccoli西蘭花 a bitter taste一種苦味兒 a common pattern一個普遍的模式 to reject不喜歡 semolina粗粒小麥粉 to turn (our) noses up不屑一顧 an aversion to (something)厭惡某物 bitter苦味的 a Brussels sprout抱子甘藍 a host主人 to season調味
