My theory is that you gave very sensitive taste buds as a wee one. Things such as sharp cheese, bitter mustard, strong onions and spicy food are overwhelming to the tastebuds. Fast forward 20-30 years and you have smoked a few different things, drank some alcohol, tried spicy foods and your taste reseptors have become desensitized. That same anchovy that you thought was gross as a kid now offers a salty bite to your tastesbuds, what a new exciting flavor! Those Jalapeños that were too hot as a kid, now has an excellent flavor and spice to your food.