Why Doesn't Anyone Use Softwood?

Long ago I've read a few on-line manuals how to carve spoons. All of them agree on this: "Never use softwoods! They are too soft, they crack easily and your food will taste like resin!"
But then my colleague brought me a piece of larch and I carved a spoon from it because I'm a deep-dyed optimist.

Now I can say from my own experience that: 

• This wood is not too soft for carving. Some people carve spoons from willow, which is even softer.
• Does it crack? Maybe. I'll find out later.
• The resinous smell is very weak after drying and the taste is neutral.
• And besides (who would say that?) it can be easily sanded without leaving a fuzzy surface after washing.

Look at those colors! And the grain pattern! The best thing about it is that larch will acquire even better color in the future.