You don't have to be a jerk to have a palate like one

From How to be a food snob

Some good advice for anyone who wants to be able to hone their senses and have more depth to their food expriences.

Compare very basic foods within a category, such as vinegars, oils or onions. Think shallots, white onions and yellow onions taste the same? They don't, and once you compare them side by side you'll be able to tell immediately how they differ and how that might shape a dish. Then move on to regional and varietal differences