Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:01 PM
NRaleighLiberal (28,583 posts)
Time for an easy poll! Cilantro (as in fresh coriander leaf) ....what do you think of it?Last edited Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:12 PM USA/ET - Edit history (2)
I am posting this based on a really interesting watermelon salsa that my wife loves, but I thought she ruined because of the cilantro that she put into it.
Her quilting bee companions were similarly divided.... So, DU - Cilantro - yes or no? Edited to add this results from a study -http://www.flavourjournal.com/content/1/1/8/abstract Results "The prevalence of dislike ranged from 3 to 21%. The proportion of subjects classified as disliking cilantro was 21% for East Asians, 17% for Caucasians, 14% for those of African descent, 7% for South Asians, 4% for Hispanics, and 3% for Middle Eastern subjects" And what do you think it tastes/smells like?
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47 replies, 2160 views
| Author | Time | Post | |
| NRaleighLiberal | Aug 2012 | OP | |
| NRaleighLiberal | Aug 2012 | #1 | |
| geardaddy | Aug 2012 | #3 | |
| NRaleighLiberal | Aug 2012 | #4 | |
| OriginalGeek | Aug 2012 | #13 | |
| Wait Wut | Aug 2012 | #20 | |
| valerief | Aug 2012 | #29 | |
| valerief | Aug 2012 | #30 | |
| CaliforniaPeggy | Aug 2012 | #2 | |
| Auggie | Aug 2012 | #5 | |
| CBGLuthier | Aug 2012 | #6 | |
| Duer 157099 | Aug 2012 | #7 | |
| turtlerescue1 | Aug 2012 | #8 | |
| Kali | Aug 2012 | #24 | |
| Lucy Goosey | Aug 2012 | #9 | |
| seaglass | Aug 2012 | #10 | |
| 4th law of robotics | Aug 2012 | #12 | |
| NRaleighLiberal | Aug 2012 | #19 | |
| kurtzapril4 | Aug 2012 | #46 | |
| valerief | Aug 2012 | #28 | |
| Phentex | Aug 2012 | #43 | |
| 4th law of robotics | Aug 2012 | #11 | |
| Denninmi | Aug 2012 | #14 | |
| AnneD | Aug 2012 | #15 | |
| 4th law of robotics | Aug 2012 | #21 | |
| AnneD | Aug 2012 | #22 | |
| 4th law of robotics | Aug 2012 | #23 | |
| AnneD | Aug 2012 | #37 | |
| hifiguy | Aug 2012 | #16 | |
| Remmah2 | Aug 2012 | #17 | |
| Arugula Latte | Aug 2012 | #18 | |
| Kali | Aug 2012 | #25 | |
| NRaleighLiberal | Aug 2012 | #26 | |
| Quantess | Aug 2012 | #33 | |
| NRaleighLiberal | Aug 2012 | #35 | |
| valerief | Aug 2012 | #27 | |
| geardaddy | Aug 2012 | #31 | |
| ret5hd | Aug 2012 | #32 | |
| Scuba | Aug 2012 | #34 | |
| OneGrassRoot | Aug 2012 | #36 | |
| HopeHoops | Aug 2012 | #38 | |
| kwassa | Aug 2012 | #39 | |
| femmocrat | Aug 2012 | #40 | |
| EastTennesseeDem | Aug 2012 | #41 | |
| Arkansas Granny | Aug 2012 | #42 | |
| soccer1 | Aug 2012 | #44 | |
| GoCubsGo | Aug 2012 | #45 | |
| tjwmason | Aug 2012 | #47 |
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:01 PM
NRaleighLiberal (28,583 posts)
1. I answered it first - to me, it smells/tastes like dirty dishwater.
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Reply #1)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:07 PM
geardaddy (14,310 posts)
3. This ^
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Do you know there's a genetic predisposition to one's like/dislike of cilantro?
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/14/dining/14curious.html |
Response to geardaddy (Reply #3)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:09 PM
NRaleighLiberal (28,583 posts)
4. exactly - hence my curiosity of the DU population....interested in the ratio
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I don't expect to see much middle ground.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Reply #4)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:11 PM
OriginalGeek (5,443 posts)
13. I think it tastes like soap too
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yet I don't mind it in certain dishes...
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Response to geardaddy (Reply #3)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 04:19 PM
Wait Wut (6,152 posts)
20. Yep. Tastes like soap.
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So does beer.
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Response to Wait Wut (Reply #20)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:13 PM
valerief (35,667 posts)
29. I don't like cilantro or beer either. nt
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:07 PM
CaliforniaPeggy (103,943 posts)
2. I really don't like it at all, so there's more for those folks who do!
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:09 PM
Auggie (16,179 posts)
5. Cilantro is a classic ingredient in salsa
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I love it.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:11 PM
CBGLuthier (8,851 posts)
6. An essential ingredient in half the food I cook.
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Lemony.
It is supposed to be a purely genetic thing. Some are wired to taste cilantro differently. |
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:17 PM
Duer 157099 (16,524 posts)
7. Thai food without cilantro wouldn't be the same
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Same with salsa.
I've noticed that with some dishes, the cilantro is, for me, the critical ingredient. So yeah, I like it a lot. It tastes exactly like cilantro. Can't describe it any other way. |
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:27 PM
turtlerescue1 (1,013 posts)
8. OH YES!
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Pico de gallo:
Fresh: Tomatoes Onion Cilantro and juice of a fresh squeezed lime. Let its flavors blend- and even the pickies at church love it! With chips, on salads, mex. dishes. OHHHHHHH yeah. Personal favorite: TACOs. |
Response to turtlerescue1 (Reply #8)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:03 PM
Kali (33,749 posts)
24. you forgot jalepenos
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 02:30 PM
Lucy Goosey (2,940 posts)
9. Does it taste like soap to others who don't like it?
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I happen to love it, and I use it frequently.
A good friend of mine, though, says it tastes like soap. Exactly like soap, she insists. |
Response to Lucy Goosey (Reply #9)
seaglass This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to Lucy Goosey (Reply #9)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:08 PM
4th law of robotics (6,801 posts)
12. Your friend suffers a tragic genetic defect
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that prevents her from enjoying this delicious herb.
Sadly there is no cure. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98695984 |
Response to 4th law of robotics (Reply #12)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 04:10 PM
NRaleighLiberal (28,583 posts)
19. I realize I have the defect - am not concerned - plenty of other great things to enjoy!
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I am a "sweet cole crop" taster - broccoli, brussels sprouts, etc taste sweet to me - that is another genetic problem - 1/3 or so of the country finds them too bitter to enjoy!
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Reply #19)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 09:01 PM
kurtzapril4 (1,259 posts)
46. Really!
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That is so interesting! I love cabbage and cauliflower. I don't care for broccoli. It's not the taste....it's the texture and the way those little buds get stuck between your teeth.
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Response to Lucy Goosey (Reply #9)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:12 PM
valerief (35,667 posts)
28. Yep, it tastes like soap to me, too. nt
Response to Lucy Goosey (Reply #9)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 08:21 PM
Phentex (7,905 posts)
43. Soap to me...
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Very soapy. Ick!
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:06 PM
4th law of robotics (6,801 posts)
11. Love it. Go through several bunches a week
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indispensable for making mexican food and many indian dishes.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:16 PM
Denninmi (5,558 posts)
14. Love it now.
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If you had asked me this 15 years ago, I would have said "hated it, tastes like soap or stink bug residue".
Now, I think it tastes and smells like .... wait for it .... CILANTRO! Shocking, huh? Actually, it's a rather complex flavor and aroma, and there are earthy notes similar to cumin (not surprising, closely related), and citrus notes. |
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:21 PM
AnneD (14,836 posts)
15. To my taste buds...
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Last edited Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:30 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1) It tastes like cheap soap. I can tolerate it in small amounts, but most cooks in this region (Houston) seem to Believe a little is good so more must be better. I am forever picking out fists full from my food. Strain the stuff out puleeze. Ordering your food without it seems to be an exercise in futility but at least they don't garnish that stuff on my food anymore. I grew up with Mexican food (non cilantro) and hubby is Indian....so try as I might I have never acquired a taste for it. I am glad to hear there are others with the same reactions. Makes me feel a little less weird.
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Response to AnneD (Reply #15)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 04:37 PM
4th law of robotics (6,801 posts)
21. unsaturated aldahydes
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That flavor stands out to some people and makes cilantro taste like soap. Others don't really taste it.
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Response to 4th law of robotics (Reply #21)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:00 PM
AnneD (14,836 posts)
22. There is another.....
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Last edited Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:01 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1) thing that I can taste but most folks cannot that is genetic but I can't remember it. I am also very sensitive to umami, the so called fifth taste and actually crave it. I also have a very acute sense of smell when not adversely affected by our air quality.
The role that genetics plays on something like taste is a very interesting topic. |
Response to AnneD (Reply #22)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:03 PM
4th law of robotics (6,801 posts)
23. I agree
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it implies that at some point in our evolution being able to taste or not taste certain things was an evolutionary advantage but not equally for all individuals.
It's really not clear why for a lot of these oddities. |
Response to 4th law of robotics (Reply #23)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:54 PM
AnneD (14,836 posts)
37. I have a lot of...
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Native American in me and have several medical problems related to that but I also find that I have some gifts related to that too. I just go with the flow.
I think it is fascinating that they really aren't sure how taste and smell and the brain work together. I have know folks (through meds or traumas) that have lost their sense of smell and it affected their sense of taste. As we grow older these senses decline and become altered. It is truly an area for research. |
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:24 PM
hifiguy (13,029 posts)
16. It's an interesting flavor that definitely doesn't work in everything.
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Last edited Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:25 PM USA/ET - Edit history (1) Like Vietnamese fish sauce, it's best used as a flavor note, rather than the whole chord, where it gets pretty overpowering and obnoxious pretty fast. The soapiness can be pretty nasty when it is chucked willy-nilly into a dish.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 03:50 PM
Remmah2 (3,291 posts)
17. Still growing my own.
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SALSA!
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 04:05 PM
Arugula Latte (40,069 posts)
18. Puree some and inject it into my veins!
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:07 PM
Kali (33,749 posts)
25. like a LOT of things, I didn't like it when I was younger
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but it is indispensable for much of my Mexican cooking now
posole or tortilla soup without cilantro? bleh I can make a good salsa without it but with is almost always better |
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:10 PM
NRaleighLiberal (28,583 posts)
26. We are tracking pretty much around what was found in this study -
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Reply #26)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:40 PM
Quantess (23,926 posts)
33. It doesn't taste like soap to me.
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I like it.
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Response to Quantess (Reply #33)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:44 PM
NRaleighLiberal (28,583 posts)
35. check the data - 85-90% of people should like it...I am one of the 5-10% who don't
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(as are others here who vote that they don't like it)
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:11 PM
valerief (35,667 posts)
27. Tastes like soap! nt
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:14 PM
geardaddy (14,310 posts)
31. I think it tastes like soap, but...
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I can handle it in salsa and as a small...that's SMALL garnish on Indian food.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:35 PM
ret5hd (10,073 posts)
32. hate it. tastes like soap.
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:41 PM
Scuba (26,683 posts)
34. Yummy. Essential for guacamole, salsa and dozens of other dishes.
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 05:47 PM
OneGrassRoot (18,734 posts)
36. I'm seriously addicted. n/t
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 06:02 PM
HopeHoops (47,675 posts)
38. We bought one cilantro plant about 8 years ago. We'll never be without it.
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It reseaded and will continue to resead forever. It owns aobut 25 feet of our garage side rose area. We harvest more cilantro and it's seed (coriander) than we could possibly use, but it will never go away. We consider that a good thing. We grow tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, and adding cilantro completes the totally home-grown salsa.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 07:13 PM
kwassa (15,642 posts)
39. Love it, had some tonight, in a veggie burrito.
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 07:28 PM
femmocrat (13,952 posts)
40. It smells like stink bugs!
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I never ate it, though.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 07:39 PM
EastTennesseeDem (2,664 posts)
41. Ew.
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Ew.
Gross. |
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 08:14 PM
Arkansas Granny (14,622 posts)
42. I don't like cilantro. If there is more than just a hint of cilantro in a dish,
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that's all I can taste. It's flavor is just overpowering to me.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 08:49 PM
soccer1 (343 posts)
44. I dislike cilantro...tastes like waxy soap.....
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Eww......I never eat it. I use parsley, instead.
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Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Wed Aug 1, 2012, 08:54 PM
GoCubsGo (12,988 posts)
45. Does anyone else find it odd that so many people here who know what soap tastes like?
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Looks like we have a lot of potty mouths here. Did your mom wash your mouth out with soap for saying bad things?
(Yes, I am an admitted potty mouth. But, I developed mine when I was too big to have my mouth washed out with soap.) I don't really care for cilantro. I can take it in small quantities, particularly in salsas and pico de gallo. In fact, I prefer those WITH it over those without. But, otherwise, bleech. I feel that way about cumin, too. |
Response to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)
Thu Aug 2, 2012, 07:20 AM
tjwmason (14,756 posts)
47. Another tastes of soap one here.
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Absolutely foul stuff.
But when it's been cooked it's usually fine (i.e., as part of a recipe). |

