Now I wonder what cilantro really tastes like!

[Phentex]

I know we've had the discussion here about the taste of cilantro for some people. It's like soap. And for some, it's like dirt. And for others it's like ????

I was talking to some friends the other day and two exclaimed that they really loved cilantro. I started wondering if it had some kind of distinct flavor that I just completely miss out on. You know how rosemary tastes a certain way. Or thyme. Or basil. All I get from cilantro is soap!

I can't imagine tasting sage or rosemary and thinking they tasted like soap. Is cilantro distinct or does it taste like something else?

[elleng]

1. Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to Some People?

I like it a lot, not soap.

Here's some info:

http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/why-does-cilantro-taste-soap-some-people

[angstlessk]

4. Very informative...

always wondered why some people liked it...I do not hate it, but only in small quantities in certain dishes

[Phentex]

6. Does it taste like parsley to you?

Cute video! I get the why of why it tastes like soap. I just wonder what other people taste that make them think it's good.

[angstlessk]

10. Parsley is almost tasteless..It tastes like the grass it is

Cilantro, on the other hand has some genetic abuses in its DNA?

[grasswire]

32. oh I disagree

I LOVE parsley. Vibrant, green and clean. Love it. Especially Italian flat leaf. I keep it on hand at all times, and use it in salads, soups.

I love celery leaves, too.

[elleng]

11. No, and as others have said,

parsley hardly tastes like ANYTHING!

[zalinda]

20. I hate the taste of parsley

it is very distasteful to me. I can't tell what it tastes like, because I spit it out too fast to taste it. I don't like basil or olives either. Cilantro, I do like. Weird.

Z

[angstlessk]

2. I hate cilantro except in minute quantities

Why not try eating a bunch?

[Phentex]

5. I have and it tastes like soap...

And now it seems to pop up everywhere the way parsley used to. Parsley has a grassy taste to me but not in an offensive way.

[angstlessk]

12. Just what I said...parsley...grass

Cilantro...abuses its critics via DNA

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. It's all in the genetics - here is an interesting link!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/20/cilantro-aversion-gene-study_n_1901124.html

[angstlessk]

7. So, I am genetically opposed to cilantro...but I can eat it in small quanties in a recipie

So not allergic

[Phentex]

9. I always assumed the dishes weren't properly rinsed...

till the internet came along and I discovered other people tasted soap too.

[NRaleighLiberal]

13. I am also genetically anti-cilantro - even a little bit in a recipe ruins it for me.

[Phentex]

8. My son said it tastes like soap to him too...

He'll like the science behind it.

[NRaleighLiberal]

14. Science. such a great word!

[Major Nikon]

15. I think it's something of an acquired taste

However, if it tastes soapy you may never like it as I've heard that is a hereditary thing.

I used to not like it, but here in the DFW metromess Mexican restaurants seem to use it in everything and I kinda like it now. To me it has kind of a lime taste and fresh lime squeezed on it at the table is a nice complement to cilantro.

If you don't like it you can always substitute parsley in recipes.

[Phentex]

24. I know i've eaten it in salsa for years..

It just seems to be used so much more these days.

[Kali]

16. it has a bright citrusy taste

does coriander do the soap thing to people too? it is the seed of cilantro and there is just a hint of "coriander" along with the fresh citrusy flavor.

I love it, can't go without in some foods and salsas, must have in pico de gallo and for posole

[Sentath]

17. That's funny, and awesome.

I seem to fall into the group that thinks it tastes like freshly mown weeds smell. Just overwhelmingly green and vegetal, not soapy or citrusy.

And I love coriander with fish or in sweets. It's wonderful when you want some 'mystery citrus' and a faint peppery-ness.

[Kali]

18. I am not sure why but sometimes it can be pretty flavorless - must be something about

climate or growing conditions. I have crap luck growing it myself, and haven't paid close enough attention to notice if the occasional flavorless bunch is seasonal or what.

[Sentath]

19. I last tried several years ago in SE Kansas

Clay soil and high humidity.

http://www.xdc.arm.gov/data_viewers/sgp_surfchar/soil_and_land_links.html says 'Silt Loam'

Maybe I will have to try again here in AZ

[Phentex]

22. Interesting. The citrus flavor makes sense

Based on the way it's used. I love most citrus but lime can turn funny for me when not mixed with sweet. Turns medicinal.

[Warpy]

21. I'm the same way

but I miss it when I leave it out of spicy food.

As a garnish, it's Lifebuoy.

[Phentex]

23. Lol...

I am so not picky when it comes to most foods but i can't get past this if it's prevalent. I was just wondering what people taste if it's not soap to the point of saying they love the flavor.

[awoke_in_2003]

34. Lifebuoy, on the other hand

[Phentex]

35. HA!

poor kid

That movie is still so much fun to watch.

[awoke_in_2003]

36. It was filmed in Cleveland

I remember how they decorated Higbees for the filming.

[bif]

25. It tastes metallic to me

I don't mind it. My wife loves it.

[Phentex]

27. never heard that before...

metallic. Interesting!

[japple]

26. When I first tasted it, I thought "soap," but then I kept on eating it every

chance I got, then I started growing it and now I LOVE it.

[Phentex]

28. Hmmm...

wonder if I can learn to love it?

[japple]

29. Maybe if you keep sniffing it every chance you get and trying a bit

more now and then it will hit you. Or maybe not! Who knows and it's not like I'm trying to convince you to like it. But if you want to, this might be a way to do it. I really like having it in homemade salsa with lime juice, salt, chopped tomatoes, onions, peppers, a bit of cumin, a pinch of sugar and not much else.

[intrepidity]

30. Cilantro tastes like sunshine and rainbows

Just try leaving cilantro out of your Thai food, or pico de gallo, then you will know what true sadness tastes like.

Cilantro is magical.

[Phentex]

31. Ha!

That's funny.

[SheilaT]

33. I am one for whom it tastes like soap,

and yes it is one of those genetic things like being able to curl your tongue, or having attached or unattached earlobes (I happen to have one of each, which is quite unusual). I have to be really careful in Mexican or Thai restaurants because they use cilantro in almost everything.

[cwydro]

37. I'm one of those who cannot tolerate it.

Tastes like soap to me lol.