# Why does cilantro taste like soap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 2, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598 "2006-12-02T17:43:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/81 "2006-12-05T04:08:02Z")
Oddly enough, my experience was opposite - when I first became aware that I disliked cilantro (a couple of years after I figured out I didn’t like coriander - I’m slow) I could still eat it in small quantities in foods. Over a period of about a month (and weekly eating of a sandwich which contained it), I went from dislike to picking it off to OH GOD NO. Now, I can taste even the slightest bit in my food, and it makes me completely unable to eat it. I don’t taste it as soapy so much as… evil. Just, the essence of evil, converted into a flavour. My brother feels the same way, and my dad doesn’t like it much although he can stand it. My mom adores is, but she also likes soap gum (Thrills) so all bets are off on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/82 "2006-12-05T04:15:41Z")
[QUOTE=Balance] sweatsock stench [/QUOTE] Ah ha. Finally someone close to me. I’ve never tasted cilantro that tastes like soap… but all the cilantro I’ve ever tasted tastes like sweat socks. On preview — Great tongue twister, that last sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/83 "2006-12-05T04:52:40Z")
As previously noted, I fall into the dirty dishwater taste for cilantro. I don’t know that I am a supertaster, I doubt it. However, I have never been able to get used to the taste of beer or wine. Trust me, growing up in a college town, that is a bad thing. I tend to like most things, even those that other people don’t (brussel sprouts! Okra! Spinach!) but the few things I don’t like are rather uncommon, such as beer, wine, cilantro, velveeta and asparagus. Although my dislike of asparagus is based on its overuse and it just tastes like nothing to me. Any other beer hating cilantro despisers? Could their be a link? ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/84 "2006-12-05T05:22:13Z")
[QUOTE=Auntbeast] Any other beer hating cilantro despisers? Could their be a link? [/QUOTE] Well, I also hate beer, because of its bitter taste. Even lightly hopped beers are way too bitter for me. I despise the vile demon bile folks call coffee, too, and look with extreme disfavor on most cooked green vegetables. (I like veggies raw, but cooking turns them bitter and slimy to my palate.) I like sweet wines, though–particularly mead and eiswein. Cilantro doesn’t really taste bitter to me, like those other things I dislike. It just tastes _wrong_. On some deep level, it says to me, “This is not food.” Y’know, in the sort of way the smell of, say, _cat feces_ says, “This is not food.” ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/85 "2006-12-05T05:24:02Z")
[QUOTE=Auntbeast] Any other beer hating cilantro despisers? Could their be a link? [/QUOTE] I don’t know, but as I’ve said earlier in the thread, I don’t especially like the taste of cilantro (burnt rubber to me, but I don’t _hate_ it either), and I also don’t especially like the taste of beer (although I also don’t hate it, and I drink beer occasionnally). So is there a link? I don’t know. I like wine, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/86 "2006-12-05T13:12:51Z")
[QUOTE=Balance] Cilantro doesn’t really taste bitter to me, like those other things I dislike. It just tastes _wrong_. On some deep level, it says to me, “This is not food.” Y’know, in the sort of way the smell of, say, _cat feces_ says, “This is not food.” [/QUOTE] Yes! I was trying to explain this to my wife recently. It’s psychologically hard to eat because it does not taste like food. ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/87 "2006-12-05T14:10:40Z")
[QUOTE=Beware of Doug] So they’re not like big fat eggs, all white and blood-vessely and squirting aqueous humor with every bite? Darn. [/QUOTE] They chop up the eye and if it wasn’t for a different texture you probably wouldn’t notice much difference. When you order your tacos _de cabeza_ instead of specifying a certain type, the filling is usually a mixture of all or several different parts of the head. The tongue is the most popular and they usually run out early. BTW, because of the popularity, Mexico imports large quantities of tongue from the US where it isn’t consumed much I guess. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/88 "2006-12-05T16:28:50Z")
[QUOTE=Auntbeast] Any other beer hating cilantro despisers? Could their be a link? [/QUOTE] Hmmm. I hate cilantro, and I also don’t care for beer. I can tolerate a Guinness once in a greate while (like maybe three times a year) but regular beers are anywhere from “meh” to “ick!” We might be on to something. ---
**Author:** ![ChipsNDip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@ChipsNDip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChipsNDip)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/89 "2006-12-05T16:36:51Z")
I’m so sorry for all those who can’t tolerate cilantro / coriander. Here in Texas it is an essential ingredient, and it grows very well in my garden. The birds apparently like coriander seeds, as I have several plants growing in various parts of my yard - it grows very quickly, so can look a little unsightly, but makes for a wonderfull aroma while cutting the grass. It is easily the most aromatic of all herbs – I worked in a produce department at one time, and when we put the old cilantro through the grinder, the entire backroom would reek of it in an overwhelming way. I wonder if the soap-taste is tied to a heavy dependence on smell for taste. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/90 "2006-12-05T16:41:59Z")
Brainiac4 hates cilantro and drinks beer (occationally). I hate beer (well, I hate hops) and don’t care too much one way or another about cilantro (I’d prefer if it wasn’t used, but it doesn’t taste like evil incarnate to me). ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/91 "2006-12-05T18:02:12Z")
to the people who don’t like the taste of it: Do you like the smell of it? Or have you never really chopped it up in your house because you don’t eat it? I love the smell of it. When I’m chopping cilantro, my wife just has to come through the front door, and she’s like, “CILANTRO!”. She adores the smell. I think it releases endorphins in her. It is like fresh air, and like sweet, fresh greenery. It’s a wonderful odor. And, getting it off you hands is nothign compared to onions or garlic, in my experience. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/92 "2006-12-05T18:32:49Z")
[QUOTE=Trunk] to the people who don’t like the taste of it: Do you like the smell of it? [/QUOTE] Nope. The dirty sweatsock element seems to predominate in the scent, at least to me. It’s unpleasant at best and revolting at worst, especially when someone is chopping it or boiling it. Bear in mind that I love the smell and taste of most fresh herbs. I keep a small rosemary bush in my kitchen, and I often keep fresh mint, basil, and sage on hand. I nibble on them straight as well as using them on sandwiches and in cooking. I like the rich, fresh flavors. Cilantro is different. It is the Antiherb, and by the stench of used footwear shall ye know its coming. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/93 "2006-12-05T18:44:11Z")
[QUOTE=CBEscapee] They chop up the eye and if it wasn’t for a different texture you probably wouldn’t notice much difference. [/QUOTE] See, that’s exactly what I was expecting, but when I had a taco de ojo here on Chicago’s Maxwell Street Market, they gave it to me as a whole eyeball, mixed in with a little steamed meat. That gave me momentary pause before I ate it. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/94 "2006-12-05T18:45:32Z")
The smell of it? Oh god, no. My husband doesn’t seem to smell cilantro’s awful taste. As a surprise to me, he planted some in my herb garden last year. I walked up to my garden, and as I got to a few yards from it, I smelled it. Horror. I put on rubber gloves and wrapped it in double plastic bags before throwing it away. I can’t stand the stuff in any shape or in any dish. Like **Balance** , I always have fresh herbs on hand, and I love nibbling on a sprig or a leaf, but cilantro is pure stench, unbearable. disgusting. It’s worse than an aversion to a soapy smell, lemon melissa has a soapy smell that doesn’t bother me, but this… unspeakable. Thank you all for this thread. I always thought I was the only one who hated it. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2006, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/95 "2006-12-06T00:39:03Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] Hmmm. I hate cilantro, and I also don’t care for beer. I can tolerate a Guinness once in a greate while (like maybe three times a year) but regular beers are anywhere from “meh” to “ick!” We might be on to something. [/QUOTE] Nope. I hate soaplantro, love beer, always have. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2006, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/96 "2006-12-06T00:41:36Z")
[QUOTE=Trunk] to the people who don’t like the taste of it: Do you like the smell of it? [/QUOTE] No. I can tolerate the odor in small amounts, but in quantity it makes me want to gag and puke. YES, IT REALLY IS THAT HORRIBLE TO SOME PEOPLE. Damn, you could use it for chemical terrorism as far as I’m concerned… ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/97 "2006-12-06T01:00:56Z")
[QUOTE=Broomstick] I can tolerate the odor in small amounts, but in quantity it makes me want to gag and puke. [/QUOTE] Do not let the perfume industry know this, or we will soon see “_Davidoff Cool Water for women, now with added Cilantro_.” Personally I think it’d be an improvement over the orange, lime and grapefruit oils they sell by the gallon nowadays, but _de gustibus_. ---
**Author:** ![Lillith\_Fair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2006, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/98 "2006-12-06T01:25:39Z")
I’ve always thought cilantro tastes like toothpaste. Finally I find that someone feels something similar. I have never tasted Ivory Soap, however. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/99 "2006-12-06T01:35:52Z")
The best thing about the smell of cilantro is that it gives me a heads up as to what not to put in my mouth. **Doctor Who** mentioned sweat socks… I believe cilantro is what you’d find _growing_ on dirty sweat socks if you left them in the corner of a damp, warm basement for a month. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2006, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598/100 "2006-12-06T01:50:01Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > To me, the most plausible explaination I’ve heard (which may have no basis in fact) is that the soap cilantro taste works like a recessive gene. > > Have zero recessive “soap taste” genes and it taste fine. You may like it or not like it based on your own personal tastes. > > Have one recessive “soap taste” genes and you get a slight soapiness that may not be completely unpleasant. You know what the cilantro haters are talking about, but - like beer - you can learn to like it. I fall in this category. I can taste a soapiness - but it isn’t horrible. I wish Chipotle’s rice didn’t have cilantro in it, but it doesn’t stop me from eating it. > > You have two recessive “soap taste” genes and there will never be any way to redeem cilantro. You will want to wash you mouth out with sand after eating it. You can’t imagine why people put this in food. > > While this may not be the mechanism, it does seem to hold true as a model in my experience. [warning: naive speculations from someone who knows basically jack about population genetics] Sounds intriguing, and plausible, to me at any rate. If so, could we expect to find the “soap-taste” gene correlated more strongly with membership in ethnic populations that don’t traditionally eat cilantro, the way lactose intolerance is correlated more strongly with membership in ethnic populations that don’t traditionally eat lots of dairy products? I mean, surely cilantro wouldn’t have become ubiquitous in the cuisine of cultures that had substantial numbers of people who can’t stand the taste of it, right? Does that jibe with the experience of the cilantro-haters here? How about it, soap-tasters? Do any of you belong to an ethnic group (Indian, Mexican, Chinese maybe?) that traditionally uses lots of cilantro? If so, how did you survive Grandma’s cooking? 🙂 [/warning: naive speculations] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap/382598.md?page=6)