This is it exactly! I remember clearly the first time I had it. It was shocking and off putting because it was so different from anything I’d had before. But after that first experience of shock, it gradually grew on me until I actually enjoyed it.
I think this difference comes down to how open-minded folks are about trying new things.
I remember having a very similar experience with American Chinese food when one restaurant my parents started going to put large-ish chunks of ginger in one of the dishes I would always order. I didn’t know what it was at the time and told my parents it tasted like it had soap in it. Now I love ridiculously ginger heavy dishes.

Oh - like they do in England…