What is Cilantro?
Cilantro is a herb popularly used in cooking. The names cilantro and coriander are commonly used interchangeably. Both cilantro and coriander come from the same plant species, Coriandrum sativum. The nutrient profiles of the plant and seed are different.
In North America, cilantro refers to the leaves and stem, while coriander refers to the seeds. In other countries like India, coriander refers to the leaves and stem, and the seeds are called coriander seeds. Cilantro is the Spanish word for coriander.
Cilantro has a fragrant, citrusy flavor. The coriander seeds have a warm, spicy, earthy aroma with a hint of citrus. It is usually paired with cumin and used as a base ingredient for making spice mixes.
What is Cilantro Taste Aversion?
Even though cilantro is properly used in several cuisines all over the world, some people do not like the taste of it. They find the taste soapy and revolting. This is termed as Cilantro Taste Aversion.
Even the famous American chef, Julia Child, did not have a liking for cilantro. She said the best way to deal with it in food is to pick it up and throw it on the floor.
Cilantro contains several aldehydes. Aldehydes taste soapy in nature. People with cilantro taste aversion perceive the taste of these aldehydes found in cilantro.
The number of people with this aversion is less in Central America and India, where this herb is very popular. Nearly 20% of the East Asian population are found to experience the soapy-taste of cilantro.
Why do some people hate the taste of cilantro but others don’t?
The answer to this question lies in genes.
Genetics and Cilantro Taste Aversion
Cilantro taste preference can be explained by genetics. The olfactory receptors influence our sense of smell, which directly alters our taste perception. Variations in olfactory-receptor genes can affect the way we perceive the taste of certain food items.
OR6A2 Gene
The OR6A2 gene is an olfactory-receptor gene. It carries instructions for the production of Olfactory Receptor Family 6 Subfamily A Member 2 protein. This protein has a high-binding affinity to soapy-flavored aldehydes like the ones found in cilantro. Individuals with an aversion to the taste of cilantro are found to have a variation in this gene.
rs72921001
rs72921001 is a single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP in the OR6A2 gene. Individuals with the A allele of this gene are at a lower risk of detecting a soapy taste.
Recommendations
The best way to deal with the soapy taste of cilantro is to avoid using it in meals or picking it out of your plate as Julia Child said.
Certain other ways to deal with this include
Some restaurants use a mix of parsley, tarragon, and dill. Lime of lemon zest can be used to substitute for the bright, citrusy flavor of cilantro. Carrot tops, mint, basil, or Thai basil are also used in certain dishes.
Microgreens are becoming increasingly popular. Micro cilantro tastes less soapy than mature cilantro leaves. Coriander seeds may also have a more palatable flavor compared to cilantro.
Crushing cilantro may help eliminate the soapy-tasting aldehydes. Using cilantro in chutneys and sauces dampens the soapy flavor and can help you get used to the herb.
Summary
- Cilantro is a herb commonly used in several cuisines around the world. Generally, cilantro has a fresh, fragrant, and citrusy flavor. Cilantro generally refers to the leaves and stem of the plant, while coriander refers to the seeds.
- Certain people do not have a liking for cilantro. It tastes like soap to them. This is because they taste the aldehydes present in this herb. The aldehydes give it a soapy taste that is perceived by certain people.
- Cilantro taste aversion is linked to a change in the OR6A2 gene. This is an olfactory receptor gene. Olfactory receptors are responsible for the sense of smell which affects taste also.
- People who do not like the taste of cilantro are found to have the CC genotype of SNP rs72921001 found in the OR6A2 gene. Carries of the A allele are at a lower risk of detecting this soapy taste.
- The best way to deal with this taste aversion is to avoid the herb. You can also use other herbs as substitutes while cooking.
References
https://arxiv.org/abs/1209.2096
https://flavourjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2044-7248-1-22
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277627
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cilantro-vs-coriander#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
https://www.britannica.com/story/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap-to-some-people
https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/cilantro-love-hate-genetic-trait/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2019/07/08/how-to-manage-or-even-conquer-your-cilantro-hatred/
