PRACTICE is all it takes to develop a discerning palate, says taste expert Chris Barnes.
Mr Barnes, a wine educator and palate expert, said we should seek a greater variety of real flavours and bet- ter textures.
"We all have the ability to discern the true flavours of good fresh ingredients, you just need practice," he said.
A study released by Roaming Cow Dairies last week found older Australians had a more discerning palate than younger generations.
The survey of 500 people aged 18 to 24 and 41 to 50, found older people were not only able to spot the difference in quality and tastes but were also more likely to shop for food at diverse, specialty locations and avoid artificial ingredients.
When it came to dairy, older people were less perturbed by smelly foods such as blue cheese.
The study found 75 per cent of people felt their taste for finer foods had improved with age.
Ninety per cent of older people rated taste as very or extremely important when buying food and were more likely to shop at local markets, delis and greengrocers.
