Except for some people, for whom the auntie saves her veiled, backward compliments. For these people, coriander tastes like soap. A single mutation on chromosome 11 of the gene OR6A2 — one of the many genes behind our sense of smell — may be responsible.
A study of more than 14, Americans of European ancestry found those with this genetic quirk were especially sensitive to aldehydes, organic compounds with a soapy taste that are, incidentally, an ingredient in soap. Coriander leaves are also high in aldehydes, and odor and taste are highly intertwined. The genetic trick of fate that makes some people taste soap likely accounts for only a tiny proportion of the number of people who hate coriander, researchers noted at the time; my friend is among the rest whose involuntary shudder over the herb could be linked to variations across a set of three taste genes, one of them associated with bitterness, according to a different study , this one of twins in the U.
Parsley, again — not a huge fan, but not a vile reaction like with coriander. My friend is somewhat unique; South Asians seem to have one of the lowest prevalence of the genetic quirks, according to the Encyclopedia Brittanica.
By contrast, among East Asians, nearly one in five people experience a bad taste when eating coriander. Perhaps because the prevalence of genetically wired coriander-hate is so low among South Asians, the herb flourishes in Indian cuisine. Which is hard on my friend and her taste compatriots. I am 40 now and very recently have found that the coriander recently available in markets have a very weird bitter smell n taste. I really doubted the present scenarios where they are grown as till now l was so fond of coriander and used lavishly in food.
After I read your article it seems it is genetic for people. Cilantro is a cool-weather herb that's part of the parsley family, and whose leaves and stems are traditionally used in Caribbean, Latin American, and Asian cuisines, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.
Its seeds, on the other hand, are often referred to as coriander, which is a nutty- and spicy-tasting spice. The whole love-it-or-hate-it debate involves just the herb including the leaves and stems , but not the seeds. In the nutrition department, cilantro packs quite the punch.
It contains antioxidants, which combat harmful molecules called free radicals, says registered dietitian Chrissy Williams, M. This matters because "free radicals can cause high levels of [cell damage], which could set the stage for various diseases" such as cancer and heart disease, explains Williams. Antioxidants such as those in cilantro can also fight inflammation in the body, says Casey Kelley, M. Plus, according to the U. Department of Agriculture , cilantro offers nutrients such as potassium , vitamins A, C, and K, and folate.
Another green ingredient that's loaded with folate? Before getting to the bottom of the cilantro debate, let's talk about aldehydes, aka fragrant compounds found in cilantro. Aldehydes are sweet-smelling compounds naturally found in many organic substances such as vanilla, cinnamon , roses, orange peels, and, again, cilantro, says Dr.
What's more, aldehydes are often added to soaps for fragrance, she adds, which explains why cilantro is often compared to soap in the first place. Specifically, the aldehydes in cilantro have earned many descriptors, including soapy, fruity, "green," pungent, and fatty, according to a study in the journal Flavour. Fun fact alert: Aldehydes are also produced by some insects such as stink bugs, notes Dr.
The buggers release aldehyde-containing sprays when threatened or crushed. So, if you happen to be in the anti-cilantro boat, you might want to avoid trying to kill stink bugs if you see 'em.
Speaking of insects, you might want to make sure you know how to avoid ticks , too. Still, the mere presence of aldehydes doesn't explain the infamous cilantro controversy.
Why does cilantro smell and taste like soap to some people, but fresh and herby to others? It all comes down to genetics, which dictate how you perceive different odors. Here's the deal: The cells that line the nose have olfactory receptors, which bind to fragrant compounds, such as aldehydes, according to a article in Scientific Reports. From there, the receptors send messages to the brain, says Dr.
Kelley, allowing you to interpret the compounds' smell. And, according to the aforementioned Flavour study, genetic variations e. In the case of cilantro, an olfactory receptor gene called OR6A2 is at play. OR6A2 is responsible for detecting aldehydes, according to the same Flavour study. Some people have a certain variation of this OR6A2 gene, which allows them to recognize i. The result is the perception of a soapy odor, along with the self-proclaimed title of "cilantro hater.
On the other hand, people without this specific variation won't be able to detect the soapy aroma, says Dr. Some of the culinary greats, including Julia Child and Ina Garten, can't stand cilantro. But have you ever wondered why cilantro tastes like heaven to some and a soapy mess to others? It all comes down to genetics. People are born with varying ranges of olfactory abilities — the lowest category being anosmia the inability to smell anything and the highest, hyperosmia: a heightened sense of smell that makes different odors more acute.
Whether your sense of smell is muted or extreme is genetic. Scent, according to Gail Vance Civille, president and owner of Sensory Spectrum, a management consulting firm that specializes in consumer experiences, is one of the primary ways people detect and distinguish the detailed properties of foods. In , researchers at Cornell University conducted a study with almost 30, people and found that there was one specific gene that makes some people strongly dislike the taste of cilantro.
To me it's so strong — and it actually tastes like soap to me — but it's so strong it overpowers every other flavor. According to Civille, this trait might be an indicator that they actually have a heightened sense of smell because their brain recognizes that very particular aldehyde chemical. So how common is it to hate cilantro?
While those who hate cilantro may never truly be able to appreciate its refreshing properties without feeling like they've just consumed a bar of soap, there may actually be a bright side to this hypersensitivity. Being a professional food tester may sound like a pretty easy dream job, but it actually requires a fine sense of smell that not everyone has.
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