What Makes Cilantro Such a Divisive Herb?

Photo by Tomasz Olszewski on Unsplash

Have you ever tried cilantro before? This herb, commonly used in cuisines throughout the world but especially in Europe and the Americas, is commonly used in sauces and meat dishes but not everyone loves it. Why is cilantro such a divisive herb? Is there a real explanation for why some people love it and others can’t stand it?

Many people love the light, slightly citric flavor that cilantro adds to dishes like guacamole. Others claim that this herb tastes bitter and even “soapy” to them, and refuse to eat anything which contains cilantro.

But this does have an explanation, as strange and unlikely as it may sound.

Cilantro leaves contain a certain group of aldehydes which some people’s olfactory receptor genes react strongly to. These aldehydes are commonly found in soap and have an intensely unpleasant taste and odor for those with a hyper-aware olfactory receptor gene system that perceives this taste negatively.

It is estimated that around 25% of the population’s genes make them perceive cilantro in this manner, preventing them from enjoying this classic herb.

Isn’t that interesting? Whether you love or hate cilantro, at least you know why this is now!