Cilantro: Delicious flavor enhancer or like eating a bar of soap?

[cjones]

I'm curious...

My wife loves cilantro. She would almost eat it by the handful. I never could understand how she could stand it because it has always tasted like sucking on a bar of soap (yeah yeah.. I had a couple of instances of potty mouth growing up, so yes, I know what soap tastes like).

A while back, I saw an article floating around where the way a person tastes cilantro is tied to the person's genetics. There is a gene that, if flipped one way, makes cilantro taste like soap. I guess I have that gene flipped to 'soap' mode.

How many folks here are in the "cilantro = soap" boat and how many like the stuff? I'm curious how much of a minority I am in based on how many recipes call for cilantro.

CJ

 

[Cool Hand Luke]

Not in the soap boat, it has a fresh taste to me. Love in salsa and other mexican dishes.

 

[Cadcom]

It's so over used that I grew tired of it. I can live without it (for ever and ever).

 

[The Original Rooster]

I like it but I have a friend who says it tastes like soap to him too.

 

[Lilly001]

No soap here.

 

[bassboy1]

Both?

I think it tastes like soap when used too heavily, but also think it adds to the flavor when used together with other stuff.

But, it also seems to have changed a bit for me. A number of years back, I was firmly in 'soap' mode, but now am starting to like it, again, used together with other stuff.

 

[Mexican Squealer]

Love it

 

[Batjack]

No soap here, but my friend's wife can't stand it. She loves everything I cook for them, except dishes that include it. Had to learn the hard way when, and when not to use it.

 

[NE GA Pappy]

put a little more in the pico, please

 

[ryork]

I love it, use it all the time!

 

[blood on the ground]

I just ordered another tube of cilantro flavored tooth paste! You can put that carp on anything!

 

[Stumpsitter]

Taste like a mouth full of tin foil.

 

[BG77]

I have a lot growing outside beside my basil and tarragon. I can eat Cilantro raw and often do

 

[Geffellz18]

For me, it depends on how it’s used and the quantity used. Like it in salsa and on some Hispanic dishes.
In other styles of cuisine I don’t care for it so much or if it’s way over used.

Loooove it in the del taco chicken al carbon tacos. Love those things and they’re only $1-$1.19 depending on the location. Could eat a truck load of those things.

 

[BG77]

Y’all should try it in eggs, cooked over chicken breast and other proteins. Been experimenting last couple years. Amazing the difference fresh herbs can make!

 

[Lindseys Grandpa]

I like it in moderation. Some times people get carried away with it and it can overpower the dish. I dont like tasting it a hour after eating.

 

[pop pop jones]

I like it in moderation. Some times people get carried away with it and it can overpower the dish. I dont like tasting it a hour after eating.

Yea, what he said. Me too

 

[Longhorn 16]

Not a fan. If a Mexican restaurant has cilantro in their salsa I am out. Some people love the stuff and that is fine. I am just not one that likes cilantro.

 

[NE GA Pappy]

For me, it depends on how it’s used and the quantity used. Like it in salsa and on some Hispanic dishes.
In other styles of cuisine I don’t care for it so much or if it’s way over used.

Loooove it in the del taco chicken al carbon tacos. Love those things and they’re only $1-$1.19 depending on the location. Could eat a truck load of those things.

when I brine chickens before I smoke them, I put cilantro in the brine. It gives a nice hint of flavor to the meat.

 

[DannyW]

I like it...no one else in the family does.

Here is a tip. It comes in a big bunch and usually you only need a pinch or two. The rest of the bunch goes bad after a few days. Rinse the bunch and spread it out to dry. Then mince it up, put it in a plastic bag and store it in the freezer.

Use it as needed. It will stay fresh tasting for 2-3 months,