What is flavour learning and why does it influence future eating habits?

Flavour learning describes the process of acquiring taste and flavour preferences through repeated experiences.

This process begins even before birth. Flavour compounds from the mother’s diet can be detected via the amniotic fluid. Later on, breast milk, complementary foods and shared meals shape the development of taste.

Taste experiences are also processed emotionally. What is experienced as familiar and positive is often preferred later on. Such preferences acquired at an early age can influence eating habits for many years.