When I was a child, I would pout and shake my head whenever I heard the word "bitter melon." During my sophomore year of college, for some unknown reason, I started to get used to the taste of bitter melon. In recent years, I actually find its flavor quite pleasant, sometimes even sweet. When I told my mom about this unique taste experience, she smiled and said to me: "Not minding the bitterness of bitter melon means you're no longer young." Reflecting on how my taste preferences have changed with age, from being fond of snacks as a child, always opting for sweetness, to savoring a large bowl of fried sauce noodles after playing basketball in high school, adding a few spoonfuls of red chili oil, sprinkling white pepper, eating until I was drenched in sweat - it was one of the most exhilarating displays of our youthful vigor.
I had always been hesitant to try sour flavors until a camping trip during high school where we cooked outdoors. Afterward, a group of us stood around and ate an entire box of unripe oranges. We closed our eyes, furrowed our brows, and chewed with weak teeth... Since then, every time I taste something sour, despite the physiological reactions, I'm drawn to that tangy sensation.
As I've journeyed through life, my tastes have become more varied. I no longer crave pure sweetness; instead, I add salt, sugar, and chili, creating a mix of bitter, spicy, sour, and salty flavors. Whether it's sweet with a hint of sour or spicy with a tang of sour, or even greasy and savory, I embrace them all. The flavors of life, whether bittersweet or filled with joy and sorrow, are just part of the human experience.