A person’s taste preferences might be affected by the region in which he or she lives, according to a 2009 University of Nottingham study. Professor Andy Taylor said in a statement that taste is determined by genetic makeup and influenced by a person’s upbringing and experience with flavors. “Just as with spoken dialects where accent is placed on different syllables and vowel formations, people from different regions have developed enhanced sensitivities to certain taste sensations and seek foods that trigger these,” he said.
Whether taste preferences are cultural or coincidental, it’s clear that specific regions around the world favor particular beverage trends — all of which have the possibility of being influenced by trends in other countries.