> An acquired taste ... You have to learn to like it.

Why? it tastes inedible, repulsive and vile to me. I'm happy for your tastes, but people tend to either like licorice from an early age, or never do. The preference seems strongly innate, not "acquired". Why put myself through something horrid that my body does not want and never will?

So is beer and I've learned to enjoy beer.

I've yet to learn to like licorice and lost interest in trying.

> You have to learn to like it.

This is absolutely untrue.

I'm quite sure it is genetic. I've hated it since childhood, whereas my mutant childhood friends liked it.

I've acquired several tastes since then, I've tried licorice multiple times, to no avail.

I wonder if it is like cilantro. It tastes like soap to me, but my wife loves it. Apparently there is a physiological reason for that. Maybe it is similar with black licorice.

Growing up in the USA, my impression was that licorice is one of the most popular candy flavors among children. As an adult, I was surprised to discover that every Korean and Japanese I offered licorice to reacted violently to the taste...wouldn't even try to be polite about it. I doubt it's genetic, so I've often wondered what about their diet predisposes them to have such a negative taste sensation.