While scrolling the internet, I discovered there is a whole section of society who have the same mutual hatred for one common herb – cilantro. However, they don’t just hate it, they absolutely despise it!
Even the thought of having to eat the measly little leaf that’s often seen on top of Mexican dishes makes them wretch. I started digging a little deeper and found that these people all think cilantro tastes like soap. Huh?
Some think cilantro tastes like soap
To me, cilantro, also known as coriander, has a lemony, peppery taste that’s quite strong. I’m not a big fan of the herb and tend to avoid it, but it certainly doesn’t taste like soap. However, I spoke to a few people who told me the herb really does taste like detergent to them.
Kieran Smith, a 24-year-old sports journalist at football website United In Focus, said: “It’s a complete meal ruiner.”
“The best way I can describe it is it’s almost a chemical taste that completely overpowers any dish it’s contained in. Definitely soap-like, feels like my food has been dragged through a dishwasher,” he continued.
“It’s like a fruity soapy taste. It just ruins everything,” added 25-year-old journalist Bence Bocsak, from Rush The Kop. “When I find out that there is coriander in my food I cannot eat it. I genuinely do feel like I’m eating soap or it also tastes like the smell of some dish soaps.”
Neuroscientist explains why
We spoke to Dr. Gregory Gasic, a Neuroscientist who told The Focus the perception that cilantro, or coriander, tastes soapy is a “fascinating illustration of how genetics affect our sense of taste”.
He explained that a portion of the population are sensitive to aldehydes, a substance which is present in both soap and cilantro, because they have a specific gene called OR6A2.
“Aldehydes are organic compounds produced during soap manufacturing and are present in various fragrant substances like perfumes,” he explained. “They play a role in giving cilantro its distinct, refreshing scent.”
The aldehydes found in cilantro are the same as those in detergents and soaps, which means people with the OR6A2 gene may think cilantro has a soapy taste, while those without the gene find the herb more pleasant.
How many have the gene?
One 2012 study found that 3 to 21% of the population have the gene which causes them to dislike the taste of cilantro.
It was most prominent in East Asians, at 21%, followed by 17% for Caucasians, 14% for those of African descent, 7% for South Asians, 4% for Hispanics, and 3% amongst Middle Eastern people.
An episode of SciShow estimated that 4 to 14% of the US population has this gene, and many of them were quick to share their negative opinion of the herb in the comments.
One person wrote: “‘Tastes like soap’ really doesn’t do it justice. It’s like a mix of dish soap, rotten meat and bleach.”
“The first time I had cilantro was in a burrito in a restaurant. I was convinced that someone had spilled a cleaning solution into my food,” said another.
A third person added: “Cilantro definitely tastes like soap to me. It’s always disappointing to bite into some fresh salsa at a party and have it taste like soap.”
