When is a person's preference for food flavors typically established?

A person's preference for food flavors is typically established while in the womb. Research indicates that the amniotic fluid that surrounds a developing fetus contains flavors from the mother's diet, which can influence the fetus's taste preferences. These flavors are tasted and absorbed by the fetus, creating early exposure to certain tastes and scents. This prenatal exposure can shape preferences for specific foods and flavors later in life.

While preferences can continue to evolve during infancy, toddlerhood, and even adolescence due to social, cultural, and environmental factors, the foundational influences that occur in utero are crucial in establishing the initial framework of a person's food preferences.