13 Foods That Don't Taste The Same As They Used To

Do foods taste different to you now versus when you were younger? It's not just your imagination! Ingredient changes, different cooking techniques, and even some selective breeding may have changed the taste of many of your favorite foods. According to users on a recent online message board, the following foods are the most unrecognizable from their former versions.

Fruit Roll-Ups

Photo byThe Image Party / Shutterstock.com

"If you grew up in the ‘80s, you remember what Fruit Roll-Ups used to be. They were glorious. That had actual strawberry seeds in them because they were made out of actual fruit!!! They were sublimely delicious and unique and infinitely superior to the gooey sugar rolls carrying the name now," says one disappointed customer.

Kit Kat Bars

Photo byPavlovska Yevheniia / Shutterstock.com

Many report that the flavor and texture of these chocolates have changed. One user says, "Kit Kat tastes like it only contains palm oil, carnuba wax and sugar for the last four years."

Spaghetti-Os

Photo byColleen Michaels / Shutterstock.com

"I think the change-over in a lot of foods -- not just necessarily desserts and sweets -- but others such as Spaghetti O's tasting sickeningly sweet, particularly to late Boomers and Gen Xers who ate the 60s and 70s versions was the food manufacturers starting to use High Fructose Corn Syrup as a sweetener in place of regular sugar starting around the mid-1980s," reports one commenter.

Brussel Sprouts

Photo byJez TimmsonUnsplash

The reason brussel sprouts don't taste as bitter as you remember in childhood is not because your taste buds have matured. One user reveals, "They found the two chemical compounds that were making them bitter and hated, and then started crossing the varieties that had the lowest level (best taste) with ones that were high yielding in the ‘90s."

Twinkies

Photo bycalimedia / Shutterstock.com

Many commenters complained about the strange taste that these fluffy treats have taken on in recent years. One user says, "Twinkies taste like chemical sludge. I was never really big on them growing up but they were fine. (I’m GenX… so I’ve had a lot of Twinkies in my life.)"

Trefoils Girl Scout Cookies

Photo bySheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com

"They used to taste really shortbread-like. Now they taste like bad sugar cookies," says one commenter about Trefoils. Apparently, there are two different companies that manufacture Girl Scout cookies depending on the region, and the taste can vary quite a bit between them.

Pizza Hut

Photo byHeyDebbie / Shutterstock.com

One commenter says, "When I was a kid it was the best thing in the world! Now it just seems somehow both greasy and dry at the same time. It feels like it doesn’t include any real food ingredients."

Little Debbie Snacks

Photo byZikG / Shutterstock.com

"I got some little Debbie donut sticks as a quick breakfast the other day, I remember loving them as a kid. They tasted chemical-ly and left an oily residue with a bad aftertaste," says one user. Another commenter reported a similar change in flavor and texture with the Nutty Buddy bars.

Taco Bell Green Sauce

Photo byWalter Cicchetti / Shutterstock.com

"A few years ago Taco Bell discontinued the green sauce they'd used since the 70s for about 2 years. When they brought it back 'by popular demand' the formula had changed and it was sweet now and tasted nothing like Taco Bell green sauce. Being so excited for a green burrito again and having that factory of sadness in my awaiting mouth was such a disappointment," reports one commenter.

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese

Photo byVITTO-STUDIO / Shutterstock.com

Many readers were unhappy about the change in the blue box mac and cheese flavor. One user said, "I remember when I first noticed it tasted different and people acted like I was crazy. Then Kraft announced they'd changed the formula and I was like, 'I told you so!!!'"

Halloween Candy

Photo byTeri Virbickis / Shutterstock.com

"My husband bought a box on Saturday that was on clearance after not having Halloween candy for years we opened up and grabbed a few and we both couldn’t get over just how weird and plastic/chemically they tasted I’m honestly horrified," said one user.

Burger King Whoppers

Photo byER_09 / Shutterstock.com

Burger King's cooking methods are to blame for the change in flavor, according to a former employee. They said, "I used to be at the back of the kitchen, feeding the frozen burgers into the big monster flame broiler machine. People used to ask for their burgers 'fresh off the Broiler'. Our line was stretched around the building twice. This was 1994 in high school. Now they're always empty. I can't believe they don't have the broiler anymore that's sad end of an era."

Haribo Gummy Bears

Photo byFarknot Architect / Shutterstock.com

These sweet candies were a childhood favorite for many. One commenter says, "I remember it being really soft and flavorful. Last time I bought it, it was sooo tough and I could barely bite into it. And no distinguishing flavors."

Source: Reddit

The Best Food to Try in Each of the 50 States, According to Americans

In this article, we will take you on a mouthwatering tour through all 50 states, exploring the most iconic and beloved dishes each region has to offer. From hearty Southern BBQ to New England seafood delights and from Tex-Mex feasts to Pacific Northwest treats, the diverse flavors of American cuisine await.

Read more: The Best Food to Try in Each of the 50 States, According to Americans

12 of the Best ‘American’ Foods According to Non-Americans

Unveiling the essence of American cuisine from an outsider’s perspective, these 12 mouthwatering delights showcase the country’s rich and fascinating culinary heritage.

Read more: 12 of the Best ‘American’ Foods According to Non-Americans

12 Foods Europeans Eat Regularly That Are Really Weird to Americans

From unique meats and seafood to fruits you’ve never heard of, there is a whole world of cuisine available in Europe that you’d be hard-pressed to find in the United States. According to an online forum, this list of popular European foods are nearly impossible to find in America.

Read more: 12 Foods Europeans Eat Regularly That Are Really Weird to Americans

14 of the Most “American” Cooking Ingredients and Foods

When it comes to American culture, food is undoubtedly a major player. With a melting pot of different cultures, it’s no surprise that American cuisine boasts an impressive array of ingredients and flavors. But have you ever wondered what the quintessential American cooking ingredient or food is? Well, wonder no more! I scoured the depths of an online platform to gather insights from different people and compiled a list of the top contenders. Let’s explore the most American cooking ingredients and foods!

Read more: 14 of the Most “American” Cooking Ingredients and Foods

Best Overwater Bungalows Around the World According to Travel Experts

I reached out to fellow travel writers and experts to get the inside scoop on some of the best overwater bungalows around the world! These bungalows range from luxury all-inclusive stays to budget-friendly accommodations (as cheap as $8 a night!) and everything in between.

Read more: Best Overwater Bungalows Around the World According to Travel Experts