Artichokes (bitter, fibrous) – latva-artisokka

Brussels sprouts (bitter, sulfur smell) – ruusukaali

Broccoli (bitter, overcooked smell) – parsakaali

Cauliflower (sulfur smell, mushy when cooked) – kukkakaali

Cabbage (strong odor, gassy) – kaali

Kale (bitter, tough texture) – lehtikaali

Spinach (slimy when cooked) – pinaatti

Eggplant / aubergine (spongy texture, bitter skin) – munakoiso

Okra (slimy texture) – okra

Turnips (bitter, earthy) – nauris

Rutabaga / swede (bitter, strong taste) – lanttu

Beets (earthy “dirt-like” taste) – punajuuri

Celery (stringy, bitter) – selleri

Mushrooms (earthy, slimy texture) – sienet

Onions (strong raw taste, pungent smell) – sipulit

Garlic (too strong, lingers on breath) – valkosipuli (Your Host Maxx simply luuurves all kinds of onion and garlic!)

Bell peppers (green = bitter, hard skin) – paprikat

Radishes (peppery bite) – retiisit

Zucchini / courgette (watery, bland) – kesäkurpitsa

Asparagus (bitter, sulfur smell in urine) – parsa

Lentils (mushy texture) – linssit

Chickpeas (grainy, pasty texture) – kikherneet

Kidney beans (mealy, chalky texture) – kidneypavut

Lima beans (chalky, bland) – limapavut

Black-eyed peas (earthy flavor) – kaalikäärylepavut / härkäpapu

Split peas (mushy when cooked) – herneet (halkiherneet)

Anchovies (very salty, strong flavor) – anjovis

Sardines (oily, fishy smell) – sardiinit

Tuna (fishy smell, especially canned) – tonnikala

Salmon (too rich, fishy for some) – lohi

Oysters (slimy, briny taste) – osterit

Mussels (chewy, strong smell) – sinisimpukat

Clams (chewy, sandy sometimes) – simpukat

Squid / calamari (rubbery texture) – kalmarit

Octopus (chewy, rubbery) – mustekala

Crab (fishy odor, stringy meat) – rapu

Lobster (expensive, rubbery if overcooked) – hummeri

Shrimp / prawns (fishy smell, allergies common) – katkaravut

Roe / caviar (salty, fishy, weird texture) – mäti / kaviaari

Fish sauce (pungent smell) – kalakastike

Liver (metallic, bitter taste) – maksa

Kidneys (urine-like smell) – munuaiset

Heart (chewy texture) – sydän

Tongue (rubbery, fatty) – naudan kieli

Blood sausage / black pudding (metallic, clotted texture) – verimakkara / Finnish Musta makkara

Tripe (chewy stomach lining) – mahalaukku (lampaan, naudan)

Sweetbreads (thymus, odd texture) – kateenkorva

Fatty meat / gristle (chewy, greasy) – rasvainen liha / rusto

Game meats (strong “wild” flavor) – riistaliha

Spam / luncheon meat (processed taste, texture) – späm / säilykeliha

Hot dogs (mystery meat reputation) – nakkimakkarat

Raw eggs (slimy, unsafe feel) – raaka kananmuna

Runny yolks (slimy texture) – valuva keltuainen

Hard-boiled eggs (sulfur smell) – kovaksi keitetty muna

Blue cheese (moldy smell, strong taste) – sinihomejuusto (This is kryptonite to Maxx!)

Goat cheese (goaty smell) – vuohenjuusto

Feta cheese (salty, crumbly) – feta

Cottage cheese (lumpy texture) – raejuusto

Buttermilk (sour taste) – piimä

Kefir (sour, fizzy) – kefiiri

Yogurt with fruit bits (texture issue) – jogurtti hedelmäpaloilla

Sour cream (sour taste) – smetana / kermaviili

Milk (smell/taste disliked by some) – maito

Mayonnaise (slimy, eggy) – majoneesi

Ketchup (overly sweet, artificial) – ketsuppi

Mustard (sharp, vinegary) – sinappi

Horseradish (burning sensation) – piparjuuri

Wasabi (very sharp, nasal burn) – wasabi

Vinegar (harsh, sour) – etikka (Is this really an ingredient of the traditional sallad at pizzerias?)

Pickles (sour, briny) – suolakurkku

Sauerkraut (sour, fermented smell) – hapankaali

Kimchi (spicy, fermented odor) – kimchi

Relish (sweet-sour, odd texture) – relish-kastike

Worcestershire sauce (fermented, fishy taste) – Worcestershire-kastike

Soy sauce (salty, fermented) – soijakastike

Marmite / Vegemite (yeasty, salty, bitter) – Marmite / Vegemite

Ranch dressing (garlicky, creamy) – ranch-kastike

Cilantro / coriander (soapy taste for some) – korianteri

Dill (too strong, “grassy”) – tilli (This takes Maxx back to his school days: Beef with dill has finally been ditched from school menus)

Fennel / anise (licorice flavor) – fenkoli / anisi

Caraway seeds (strong rye-like taste) – kumina

Tarragon (anise-like, medicinal) – rakuuna

Cumin (earthy, pungent) – juustokumina

Ginger (sharp, fibrous) – inkivääri

Turmeric (bitter, earthy) – kurkuma

Cardamom (floral, perfumy) – kardemumma

Grapefruit (very bitter) – greippi

Papaya (fermented smell, “vomit-like” to some) – papaija

Durian (extremely strong odor) – durio

Bananas (mushy texture, smell) – banaani

Cantaloupe / muskmelon (bland, mushy) – kantaloupe / hunajameloni

Honeydew melon (bland, watery) – hunajameloni

Figs (seedy texture) – viikuna

Dates (very sweet, sticky) – taateli

Raisins (shrivelled, unwanted in baking) – rusinat

Prunes (laxative effect, texture) – luumut (kuivatut) (Help with constipation. With age, I suppose, one grows to accept prunes.)

Coconut (stringy, dry texture) – kookos

Lychee (slimy, perfumed) – lychee

Quinoa (soapy aftertaste for some) – kvinoa

Polenta (mushy, bland) – polenta / maissipuuro

Grits (bland, gritty texture) – maissipuuro (USA)

Couscous (grainy, dry) – kus kus

Barley (chewy texture) – ohra

Rye bread (sour, strong taste) – ruisleipä

Tofu (bland, spongy) – tofu

Tempeh (fermented, nutty taste disliked by some) – tempe

Seitan (rubbery, chewy) – seitan

Natto (sticky, slimy, smelly) – natto

Seaweed (fishy, salty) – merilevä

Olives (bitter, briny) – oliivit

Capers (salty, briny) – kaprikset

Pine nuts (can leave bitter aftertaste) – pinjansiemenet

Pickled eggs (vinegary, rubbery) – säilykemunat

Jellied meats / aspic (gelatinous, fatty) – hyytelöliha / aladobi

Black licorice (bitter, medicinal) – salmiakki / lakritsi

Molasses (thick, bitter-sweet) – melassi

Bitter chocolate (unsweetened, harsh taste) – tummasuklaa (erittäin tumma)

Coffee (bitter, acidic) – kahvi

Beer (bitter, yeasty) – olut (I’ll try the Brother Rabbit approach: Whatever you do, don’t buy me a beer!)

Strong wines (port, sherry, vermouth – heavy taste) – väkevät viinit

Carrots (sweet, crunchy, versatile) – porkkanat

Potatoes (comfort food, endless uses: fries, mash, roast) – perunat (Overvalued if you ask me.)

Sweet corn (naturally sweet, juicy) – maissi

Cucumber (refreshing, mild taste) – kurkku

Tomatoes (juicy, used in many cuisines) – tomaatit

Lettuce (fresh, crisp in salads) – salaatti

Peas (sweet, familiar childhood food) – herneet

Bell peppers (red/yellow – sweet and crunchy) – paprika (punainen/keltainen)

Green beans (fresh, crisp, mild) – vihreät pavut

Chickpeas (popular in hummus, falafel) – kikherneet

Lentils (hearty soups, vegetarian-friendly) – linssit

Peanuts (snackable, in peanut butter) – maapähkinät

Salmon (rich, healthy, mild taste) – lohi

Tuna (familiar, easy in sandwiches) – tonnikala

Shrimp / prawns (sweet, delicate flavor) – katkaravut

Sushi (trendy, fresh, customizable) – sushi

Fish & chips (comfort food classic) – fish & chips / kala ja ranskalaiset

Chicken (versatile, mild flavor) – kana

Beef steak (rich, satisfying, “special occasion”) – pihvi (naudanliha)

Bacon (crispy, smoky, indulgent) – pekoni

Sausages (flavorful, convenient) – makkarat

Ham (festive, salty, comforting) – kinkku

Eggs (boiled, scrambled, fried – everyday staple) – munat

Turkey (holiday food, lean meat) – kalkkuna

Cheddar cheese (classic, melty) – cheddar-juusto

Mozzarella (mild, melty, loved on pizza) – mozzarella

Parmesan (savory, used on pasta) – parmesaani

Yogurt (creamy, healthy snack) – jogurtti

Ice cream (sweet, endless flavors) – jäätelö

Butter (rich, enhances almost anything) – voi

Cream (luxurious in desserts, sauces) – kerma

Ketchup (classic on fries, burgers) – ketsuppi

Mayonnaise (creamy in sandwiches, sauces) – majoneesi

Mustard (zesty with hot dogs, sandwiches) – sinappi (Mustard never cut the mustard with Maxx.)

Barbecue sauce (sweet, smoky, tangy) – BBQ-kastike

Soy sauce (umami boost in Asian dishes) – soijakastike

Honey (natural sweetener) – hunaja

Chocolate sauce (dessert favorite) – suklaakastike

Basil (fresh, aromatic, loved in Italian food) – basilika

Parsley (mild, fresh garnish) – persilja

Oregano (pizza herb, comforting taste) – oregano

Cinnamon (sweet, warm spice) – kaneli

Vanilla (sweet, familiar flavor) – vanilja

Black pepper (universal seasoning) – musta pippuri

Strawberries (sweet, juicy, summery) – mansikat

Apples (crisp, everyday favorite) – omenat

Oranges (juicy, refreshing, vitamin C) – appelsiinit

Bananas (sweet, convenient snack) – banaanit

Grapes (easy, sweet snack) – viinirypäleet

Watermelon (refreshing, hydrating in summer) – vesimeloni

Mango (tropical, sweet, exotic treat) – mango

Pineapple (sweet-tart, sunny flavor) – ananas

Blueberries (sweet, antioxidant-rich) – mustikat

Rice (global staple, versatile) – riisi

Pasta (beloved comfort food, endless sauces) – pasta

Bread (daily essential, comforting smell) – leipä

Pizza dough (foundation of a global favorite) – pizzataikina

Noodles (comfort food across cultures) – nuudelit

Oatmeal / porridge (healthy, hearty breakfast) – kaurapuuro

• All these are Maxx’s staunch favourites! 🙂

Pizza (global comfort food king) – pizza

Burgers (fast, filling, customizable) – hampurilainen

French fries / chips (crispy, salty, addictive) – ranskanperunat

Chocolate (universally loved, indulgent) – suklaa

Cake (festive, sweet, endless variations) – kakku

Cookies / biscuits (snackable, comforting) – keksit

Doughnuts (sweet, fried indulgence) – donitsit / munkit

Coffee (daily ritual, energizing) – kahvi

Tea (comforting, calming, cultural) – tee

Show students the Top 20 Loved Foods and Top 20 Hated Foods lists.

Quick class poll: “Which list do you agree with more? Are you a picky eater or adventurous?”

Ask for a show of hands: Who hates Brussels sprouts? Who loves pizza? Who secretly likes something most people hate (e.g. blue cheese, liver)?

In small groups (3–4 students), give them both lists.

Task: Rank your Top 5 “loves” and Top 5 “hates” as a group.

Encourage discussion: “Why is chocolate #1 for you? Why does mayonnaise belong on the hate list?”

Groups present their top picks briefly.

Set up the room as a mini courtroom or debate hall.

Assign pairs of students a “Food Case” (e.g. Anchovies vs. Pizza, Chocolate vs. Black Licorice).

One student defends the food, the other attacks it.

They must use arguments (taste, health, culture, childhood memories, etc.).

The rest of the class votes: “Guilty or not guilty of being disgusting/delicious?”

Prompt:

“Write a short paragraph about one food you LOVE that others often hate, or one food you HATE that others often love. Explain why.”

Examples:

“I love blue cheese because it tastes rich and powerful, and it makes pasta and pizza better.”

“I hate bananas because of their mushy texture, even though everyone else seems to love them.”

What is your absolute favourite food? Why?

What food do you refuse to eat under any circumstances?

Do you think childhood experiences influence what foods we love or hate?

Have you ever changed your mind about a food you used to dislike?

Do you think people today eat more unhealthy food than in the past?

What makes a food “healthy” in your opinion?

Is it possible to eat unhealthy food but still live a healthy lifestyle?

Do you think people worry too much (or too little) about healthy eating?

How often do you eat fast food?

Why is fast food so popular worldwide?

Do you think fast food companies should be responsible for people’s health?

Which is worse: fast food or sugary drinks?

What does a healthy diet look like for you?

Do you follow any eating rules (like no eating after 8 pm, less sugar, etc.)?

Do you think traditional Finnish food is healthy? Why / why not?

Do you have a sweet tooth?

What is your favourite dessert?

Do you think people eat too many sweets?

Should schools ban candy and sugary drinks?

Do you usually eat at the same times every day?

Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

Do Finns eat differently from people in other countries? How?

Do you know anyone with serious food allergies? How do they cope?

How do restaurants handle special diets in Finland?

Do you think some people avoid foods for fashion rather than necessity?

Would you ever try becoming vegetarian or vegan? Why / why not?

Do you think eating less meat is better for the environment?

Is being a “carnivore” (meat-lover) something to be proud of?

Should schools offer more vegetarian/vegan options?

Do you consider yourself picky about food?

Is it rude not to eat food that someone offers you?

Do you think picky eating is more common in children or adults?

General Food

• ingredient – ainesosa
• dish / meal – ruoka-annos / ateria
• flavour – maku
• texture – koostumus
• portion – annos
• appetite – ruokahalu
• craving – himo, mieliteko

Likes & Dislikes

• favourite – suosikki
• sweet tooth – makeannälkä
• picky eater – nirso syöjä
• guilty pleasure – salaista nautintoa tuottava herkku

Health

• healthy diet – terveellinen ruokavalio
• balanced diet – tasapainoinen ruokavalio
• nutrition – ravinto
• protein – proteiini
• carbohydrates – hiilihydraatit
• fat – rasva
• vitamins – vitamiinit
• calories – kalorit
• junk food – roskaruoka

Eating Times

• breakfast – aamiainen
• lunch – lounas
• dinner – päivällinen / illallinen
• snack – välipala
• supper – iltapala
• dessert – jälkiruoka

Special Diets

• vegetarian – kasvissyöjä
• vegan – vegaani
• carnivore – lihansyöjä
• lactose-intolerant – laktoosi-intolerantti
• gluten-free – gluteeniton
• food allergy – ruoka-allergia
• nut allergy – pähkinäallergia
• dairy-free – maidoton
• plant-based – kasvipohjainen

Sweets & Desserts

• pie – piirakka

• candy – karkki

• cake – kakku

• cookie / biscuit – keksi

• doughnut – donitsi / munkki

• chocolate – suklaa

• ice cream – jäätelö

Balut (Philippines) – A fertilized duck egg with a partially developed embryo, boiled and eaten whole.
→ Balut (Filippiinit) – keitetty ankanalkio munassa.

Surströmming (Sweden) – Fermented Baltic herring with a notoriously strong smell.
→ Hapansilakka (Ruotsi) – voimakkaasti haiseva hapatettu silakka.

Casu Marzu (Italy, Sardinia) – A traditional cheese infested with live maggots, considered a delicacy.
→ Casu Marzu -juusto (Italia, Sardinia) – juusto, jossa eläviä toukkia.

Hakarl (Iceland) – Fermented Greenland shark, left to rot and cure underground, famous for its ammonia smell.
→ Hákarl (Islanti) – hapatettu haikala, pistävän hajuinen.

Century Egg (China) – Eggs preserved in clay, ash, and quicklime for months until black and jelly-like.
→ Sadan vuoden muna (Kiina) – mustaksi muuttunut säilötty muna.

Fugu (Japan) – Pufferfish, which can be deadly if not prepared correctly.
→ Fugu (Japani) – pallokala, vaarallinen jos väärin valmistettu.

Tuna Eyeballs (Japan) – Giant fish eyes, often simmered in soy sauce.
→ Tonnikalan silmät (Japani) – soijakastikkeessa haudutettuja kalansilmiä.

Sannakji (South Korea) – Live octopus tentacles served still wriggling on the plate.
→ Sannakji (Etelä-Korea) – elävät mustekalan lonkerot.

Witchetty Grubs (Australia, Aboriginal cuisine) – Fat, white larvae eaten raw or roasted.
→ Witchetty-toukat (Australia) – suuria syötäviä toukkia.

Escamoles (Mexico) – Ant larvae, nicknamed “insect caviar,” eaten in tacos.
→ Escamoles (Meksiko) – muurahaisten toukkia, “hyönteiskaviaari.”

Fried Tarantulas (Cambodia) – Whole tarantulas deep-fried and eaten crunchy.
→ Paistetut tarantellat (Kambodža) – kokonaisia paistettuja hämähäkkejä.

Snake Wine (Vietnam, China) – Rice wine infused with a whole venomous snake.
→ Käärmeviini (Vietnam, Kiina) – riisiviiniä, jossa kokonainen käärme.

Stink Bugs (South Africa) – Edible insects with a pungent flavor, often dried or boiled.
→ Stink-bugit (Etelä-Afrikka) – syötäviä pahanhajuisia hyönteisiä.

Guinea Pig (Peru, Ecuador) – Known as cuy, roasted whole as a delicacy.
→ Marsu (Peru, Ecuador) – paahdettu kokonaisena.

Blood Pudding / Blood Soup (Various countries) – Made with fresh animal blood, sometimes mixed with herbs.
→ Verimakkara / verikeitto (eri maita) – valmistettu tuoreesta eläinverestä.

• In Finland we make pancakes with blood, as well as other bloodbased foods.

What is the strangest food you have ever tried? Did you like it?

Do you think you are adventurous or picky when it comes to food?

Would you dare to eat balut (duck embryo in the egg)? Why / why not?

Surströmming (fermented fish) smells so strong people sometimes open the cans outdoors. Would you try it?

Which one sounds scarier: live octopus tentacles (sannakji) or fried tarantula?

If you had to choose, would you eat snake wine or ant larvae (escamoles)?

Would you ever taste Casu Marzu (maggot cheese)? Or is that a hard no?

Why do you think foods that seem “gross” to some are delicacies to others?

Are Western foods like blue cheese, black licorice, or salmiakki just as strange to people in other parts of the world?

Is it important to respect and at least try foods from other cultures when traveling?

Do you think you could survive a TV show like Fear Factor or Survivor where you must eat bugs or raw animal parts?

Would you rather stick to “safe” foods or experiment with exotic ones when traveling abroad?

Describing taste and texture

• Slimy – limainen
• Chewy – sitkeä
• Crunchy – rapsakka, rapea
• Gooey – tahmainen
• Rubbery – kumimainen
• Spongy – sienimäinen
• Bitter – karvas
• Sour – hapan
• Salty – suolainen
• Sweet – makea

Expressing disgust or hesitation

• Gross – ällöttävä
• Disgusting – inhottava
• Weird – outo
• Strange – kummallinen
• Squeamish – herkkävatsainen / helposti ällistynyt
• Rotten – mädäntynyt
• Fermented – hapatettu
• Smelly – haiseva
• Edible – syömäkelpoinen
• Inedible – syömäkelvoton

Talking about culture and food

• Courageous – rohkea

• Delicacy – herkku, erikoisuus

• Exotic – eksoottinen

• Tradition – perinne

• To dare – uskaltaa

• To try – kokeilla

• To taste – maistaa

• Unusual – epätavallinen

• Common – tavallinen

• Respect – kunnioittaa