WHY DOES CILANTRO TASTE LIKE SOAP TO SOME?

Cilantro is the leaves of coriander, a tasty herb to most people. A pleasing combination of flavors reminiscent of parsley and citrus, the herb is a common ingredient in many cuisines worldwide. However, some people find cilantro revolting, including someone like Julia Child.

Of course, some of this dislike may come down to simple preference, but the issue is genetic for those cilantro-haters for whom the plant tastes like soap. These people have a variation in a group of olfactory-receptor genes that allows them to perceive the soapy-flavored aldehydes in cilantro leaves firmly.

This genetic quirk is usually only found in a small percent of the population, though it varies geographically. Interestingly, places where cilantro is especially popular, such as Central America and India, have fewer people with these genes, which might explain how the herb became a mainstay in those regions.

East Asians have the highest incidence of this variation, with some studies showing that nearly 20% of the population experiences soapy-tasting cilantro. There is some evidence that claustrophobes can overcome their aversion with repeated exposure to the herb, primarily if it is crushed rather than served whole. Still, many people choose to go with their genetic inclinations and avoid its soapiness altogether.

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