Do you throw away bruised or over-ripe fruit? Is raw fish your culinary nightmare? Does dirty cutlery disgust you?
If you answer yes, you may have a high "food disgust" average. More specifically, the Food Disgust Test is an online quiz that aims to determine people's tolerance to certain food and preparation scenarios.
It is based on a scale and research developed by scientists Christina Hartmann and Michael Siegrist from ETH Zurich, a research university in Switzerland.
It divides “disgust” into eight different scales — animal flesh, hygiene, human contaminants, mould, fruit, fish, vegetables and insect contaminants — and participants answer each question based on how much it does, or doesn't, trigger “disgust”.
The scale will “not only help improve the understanding of how food disgust shapes people’s food behaviour in a functional and dysfunctional way, but will also help enhance the understanding of consumer acceptance of new foods and food technologies”, Hartmann and Siegrist wrote in a 2018 paper.
The Zurich research was first released in 2017. However, it has been gaining traction online after a link to the 32-question test was recently posted on Twitter comparing it to the Myers–Briggs personality indicator.
“This is ten thousand times more fun than the Myers–Briggs. Please post yours,” the user said in the tweet, which has now been viewed more than 9.3 million times.
The test, which is available on the IDRLabs website, is simple. Users rate their feelings towards 32 scenarios and receive a pie chart showing the eight triggers and their average “food disgust” percentage.
The higher the score is, the more sensitive someone is about eating specific foods.
The test explains each trigger. It describes hygiene as “the inclination to feel disgusted when the sanitary conditions regarding one’s food intake are not ideal”. One question that gauges this category relates to using dirty or stained plates and utensils.
Some Twitter users have questioned the cultural implications of the test. One said it is “American white-centric”, saying that raw fish, for example, is a staple in many Asian cultures.
The explanation section at the end of the test addresses this, explaining that “of all the food disgust triggers, animal flesh is thought to have the most cultural basis".
The test involves questions about mould and decaying fruits and vegetables. This alludes to the original research's definition of disgust, saying it is a “regulatory human emotion” that drives people to avoid certain health threats.
It explains that humans instinctively tend to spit out bitter foods, which are not only “unpalatable” but could also come from “potentially toxic material”.
The research also recognises the differences in cultures, especially between the East and the West, and admitted that these nuances were not part of it.
Instead, the scale is based on “cues that might symbolise hazardous items and cues that are not pathogen-related that may evoke a non-morally based disgust reaction”. For example, colour, texture, smell and taste.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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