Best Answer: I thought it was bitter and smelled like burnt almonds. What are the symptoms of cyanide poisoning? When cyanide has been eaten it may produce a bitter, pungent, burning taste in the mouth and sometimes numbness and tightness in the throat and stiffness in the lower jaw. Salivation, nausea and vomiting often follows and an odour of bitter almonds may be on the breath or vomit.