I have now flushed several times, twice even had in the dishwasher, which gives the appearance by the way does not detract from (you can then grease it with a little vegetable oil, then they look like new), but it remains a slight bitter Gesachmack. Is that perhaps a property of olive wood? I do not know, but I find that cookware in any form should be tasteless. Bitter taste in the pudding comes just not as good.