Believe me,, yes there is a taste difference !! I don`t care what you cook,, it always tastes better if cooked in cast iron !! Food in almost all older appliances tastes better !! I have a new waffle iron which replaced my old 50`s waffle maker,, sure wish I had another old one !! Its something about the cooking surfaces I think,, cookware now is designed to be totally neutral !! Cast iron sort of takes on a rich flavor of everything that has been cooked in it over the years !! It just adds its own flavor to food !! Try frying chicken in a cast iron skillet and then in a new one,, see which tastes best !!