I've always wondered if it's something like cilantro. They've identified a gene that makes cilantro taste soapy to some. Maybe there's something similar with licorice since I've noticed many people seem to have a strong negative reaction to it. (I find the flavor mild but interesting, like vanilla.)

Apparently that's not known to science, but I feel certain that it's genetic, innate and not learned. It's inconceivable that I'll ever "acquire" a tolerance for that vile inedible substance. My partner loves it though.

https://theconversation.com/the-science-of-liquorice-whether...

https://www.shared.com/your-black-licorice-preference-depend...

They identified a variation which is needed to distinguish a chemical in cilantro at all.

Having that variation is necessary but not sufficient for finding it has a soapy taste.

The flavour of licorice is, to my palate, many things, all of them unpleasant, but not "mild" at all.

I stongly suspect genetic factors, the way that some people find coriander / cilantro a strong, unpleasant taste. After all,licorice is a poison (as per the parent article), so a gene to detect and reject it as inedible has value.

I like cilantro a lot but think licorice is gross

I’ve wondered the same about grapefruit and bitterness as well.

I’ve compared relative bitterness of things to a grapefruit. My partner thinks grapefruit is less bitter than beer, or many items I consider barely bitter at all. Yet I find grapefruit to be incredibly bitter, out doing almost everything.

Maybe that’s why I don’t like it much?

Is the flavor of grapefruit primarily bitterness? I guess that does sound right, but it was initially surprising to me, because I cannot stand grapefruit, but I very much enjoy all manner of strong coffee and bitter beers like IPAs.

How are you with fennel or anise? I assume you don't like ouzo or sambuca.

Not GP but sharing the distaste for liquorice, and it extends to fennel and anise, though I can stomach the latter in small quantities as it has other flavor things going on.

I love ouzo, but hate licorice.