This is my first soil grow so I can't comment on the taste , but I read the same thing too. Soil is supposed to give the plants a better taste, but what I can say from experience is that hydro does make ur plants grow way faster than soil would. I had an aerogarden and my plant would grow 2-3 inches a day sometimes and this was before flower! So I def believe the hype about hydro.. and when I get the money I will prob buy a hydroponic system. But right noow I'm still a little confused on the different types of hydro set ups, like aeroponiic, bubbleponic, dwc , wick , ebb & flow, drip system or n.f.t. nutrient film technique . Been doin.g my research lately so I can figure out exactly what is the difference between all of these systems, which one will be the easiest to maintain and the least expensive .