What Does Poop Taste Like? (And Why on Earth Would You Even Wonder?)

Gross Curiosity Strikes

Alright, confession time. Have you ever found yourself lost in thought, maybe while brushing your teeth, and suddenly this rogue, weird question pops up… what does poop taste like? No? Just me? Ok, maybe also that five-year-old you know, because, let’s be real, kids have no filter—or fear. And if you’re here, reading this, I’ll bet you’ve at least wondered for a split second and then immediately regretted it. (Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.)

Where does this curiosity even come from? Maybe it’s because poop is so universal, weirdly taboo, and (let’s face it) impossible to fully ignore. Or maybe it’s just those awkward backyard moments when your dog pulls a move you REALLY wish he hadn’t. Either way… we’re going there—but in a way that won’t make you gag (I hope).

Smell vs. Taste: Is It Really That Bad?

I get it—you’d probably never dare (and neither would I), but some, uh, brave souls have come forward with their, let’s call it, unique life experience. So, what does poop taste like, according to the folks who actually know?

It’s Worse Than It Smells (Yep, That’s Possible)

The general consensus, based on everything from wild childhood mishaps to internet horror stories, is… it’s just as bad as it smells—sometimes even worse. Picture this: one infamous blogger, Gibbletwunt, took an accidental tumble into his family’s septic tank as a kid and instantly became an unwilling poop sommelier. His review? “Not pleasant. Slightly alkaline, chunky, and not even close to chicken.” No stars. Would not recommend according to his hilarious story.

Real-Life (Regrettable) Sample Stories

Here’s where things get… vivid. According to a Quora user, a school bully once grabbed what he thought were “chocolates”—spoiler: it was cat poop—from a fancy lunch box. The result? Things escalated from smug-munching to instant projectile vomiting in seconds. Talk about instant karma! Most stories end the same: gagging, nausea, and a hard-earned lesson.

Myth	Reality
It probably tastes like nothing or is bland.	Actual taste is bitter, alkaline, “funky,” often causing gagging or vomiting.
It’s only the smell that’s bad.	Smell and taste are closely linked; both are extremely foul because of bacteria and bile.
Maybe diets change the flavor?	Not in any good way—different foods can make the smell (and likely taste) even worse.

The verdict? No—nobody “acquires a taste” for it. Even those who, for whatever reason, repeat the experience say it pretty much always ends in disgust (and, uh, oral trauma).

Why Would Anyone…? (A Peek Into the Science)

You might be asking, “Who on earth chooses this?” Most of the time, it’s not a choice (think: kid accidents, pranks gone wrong, or animals being animals). Still, it might surprise you to know there’s a weird little corner of the world where people eat, well, feces—intentionally. It’s called coprophagia (definitely don’t put it on your to-do list).

It’s All About Biology (Mostly Bile, Bacteria & Bitterness!)

Ready for the gross science? Here’s the short version:

• Poop is full of bacteria.
• It’s packed with waste byproducts from gut digestion (that’s a nice way to put it).
• The real kicker: bile (the stuff your liver spits out) makes it taste extra bitter and funky according to the creator of a Japanese poo-flavored curry.
• The food bits left are… tasteless. (Which, honestly, is the best-case scenario here.)

By the way, if you’ve ever heard the myth about poop tasting sweet, the reality’s not so pretty. Intrigued? Dive into the weirdness at does poop taste sweet—it explores whether your diet or sugars change anything (spoiler: don’t try it to find out).

For Dogs, It’s Different (Kind Of?)

Ok, let’s talk pets for a second. If you have a dog, you’ve probably caught them sampling something unspeakable at least once. (Or… more than once. Sigh.) According to what does poop taste like to dogs, our canine pals experience taste differently. They have a lot fewer taste buds—so they may not gag the way we do, but usually, they’re driven by instincts or boredom, not flavor. (Honestly, sometimes I wish I could tune out taste, too, just for cleaning the fridge alone.)

Spoiler: For us humans, the bacteria in poop can make you seriously sick. So please, let the pets keep their weird snacks.

Can Diets Change Anything? (Not in a Good Way)

Have you ever thought about how what you eat affects, well, your “output”? You’ve probably noticed things can get more… colorful or fragrant after a wild night out, right? But as far as taste goes (not recommending taste-testing—seriously!), the core elements are still pretty gross.

Food, Fiber, and Funk (What Science Says)

High-fiber diets make for healthier, smoother trips to bathroom town. But that doesn’t mean it’s somehow better-tasting. In fact, certain foods (think: sulfur-heavy stuff like eggs, meat, or broccoli) can make things even more pungent in every way. On the upside, these foods can tell you a lot about your digestion and health—even if you’re never—and should never—taste-testing it, promise.

Watching Out for the Weird Stuff

I’ll tell you, I had a pal who ignored some “funky” poop for ages. She thought it was just weird leftovers from a holiday binge. Turns out, she was dehydrated. Simple fix, but a good reminder: if colors, consistency, or (yep) smells go way off-script for more than a day or two, check in with the doc. Your body talks, sometimes in mysterious (and stinky) ways.

“Healthy” Poop Signs	See a Doctor If…
Brown color Soft, formed consistency Easy to pass	Red or black color (not from food) Unusual texture for days Persistent pain, blood, or mucus

From Poop-Flavor Curry to Reality Checks

Ok, true story: There’s a restaurant in Japan serving “poo-flavored” curry. Why? Because some folks wondered, “Would you rather eat poo-flavored curry or curry-flavored poo?” (Yes, that’s clearly a question for philosophers—and guys named Ken Shimizu, apparently.) Based on research on the place, they go hard on the bitterness, using stuff like fermented fish, so it’s “as close to the real thing as anyone would dare.” Most people? They go for the selfie, a few giggles, and that’s it. One more for the memory books (hear the wild details).

Could Poop Ever… Taste Sweet?

Here’s a question that pops up in forums: “Does poop taste sweet?” (Apparently, we’re a curious bunch.) The answer, much to everyone’s relief (and per the science), is… nope, not really. Bile pretty much guarantees a bitter show, and any “sweetness” is probably something else entirely—even if that myth floats around online. If you’re on a quest to learn more, does poop taste sweet takes a deeper dive (and helps debunk any weird ideas your cousin might mention at Thanksgiving).

So Why Talk About This at All?

Honestly—besides shocking a friend at trivia night—why should you care about the taste of poop? The answer isn’t “so you’ll try it.” (Please don’t!) It’s because being curious about funky or even taboo body stuff is one of the best ways to learn about your own health.

What Your Gut’s Really Telling You

Your poop, like it or not, is a daily update from your gut. Color, shape, even smell—they’re all clues. Feeling off? Dealing with tummy drama? Noticing odd changes? It’s your body’s way of waving a little flag, saying “Hey! Take care of me, okay?”

And if you’ve got kids, pets, or a penchant for awkward moments, knowing what’s normal (and what’s definitely not) can be a real lifesaver. Got a dog that loves, uh, unsavory snacks? You’ll want to skim what does poop taste like to dogs again, just to reassure yourself that dogs truly are built different (and maybe invest in some better poop patrol tools).

Laughs, Lessons, and Your Takeaway

If you’ve hung around this long (props for your iron stomach!), you probably already know: poop does not taste like chicken, no matter what joke you’ve heard. It’s bitter, alkaline, packed with bacteria, and—not to sound like your mom—but genuinely hazardous to your health. Even the stories online end in gross-outs, disgust, and a sharp pivot to “never again.” (And I, for one, am happy to take their word for it.)

Just for Fun… Or Maybe Not

How does poop compare to, say, durian or stinky tofu? Some have dared to say that if you can’t handle those, you’re definitely not ready for the “real thing.” Still, no contest: Poop loses every time in the flavor department. For the curious, does poop taste sweet will make sure you don’t have to run your own taste test—because trust me, you do not want to be the headline of that story.

Give Your Gut (and Curiosity) Some Love

So, here we are—probably closer as friends, because once you’ve talked about poop (and what it might taste like), there’s not much left off the table. What should you do with all this newfound knowledge? A few things. Listen to your body. Take care of your gut (fiber, water, and veggies are still your besties). Notice any weird patterns? Don’t ignore them. And hey, next time someone drops an awkward bathroom question at the dinner table, you’ll be the wise (and hilarious) guru who knew exactly how to answer.

Honestly, life—and health—are full of messy, unexpected moments. The more we talk about the weird stuff, the less power it has over us. Got a story, a surprising question, or a wellness win? Share it in the comments. And remember, if you catch your dog making bad choices, or your kid asks another wild question, you’ll have plenty to say (and maybe even enjoy being the “expert” on what does poop taste like). Here’s to curiosity, good gut health, and a few less mysteries in your bathroom routine!