There is a Biological Reason You Hate Cilantro
Researchers have found a genetic basis for this “love it or hate it”
My wife and I love Cilantro. However, both my ex-wife and now step-daughter think it tastes like soap and won’t eat it. It turns out that these strong preferences are genetic. “… Cilantro contains many molecules that contribute to its scent and taste. Some of those molecules are things called aldehydes, and existing research has shown that a set of people perceive aldehydes as having a soapy taste or smell”. It turns out that aldehydes are also a crucial component of soap. Home DNA testing kits, like “23AndMe”, now test for the gene. But this is not the whole story. Where and how you grew up also affects your tastes.
This herb is used often in Latin cuisines, and in particular, salsas. “Flavor is a combination of sensory experiences with olfaction. Taste preferences are highly individual and are linked to genetic differences in a person’s taste receptors. The end result influences our likes and dislikes,” says Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN. Although the perpetual genetic vs. environmental argument appears contradictory, both may be correct. Tasting the soapiness of Cilantro is one thing, and disliking Cilantro is a different one.” Environment frames our likes and dislikes too. Thus, if you grew up in Mexico, as opposed to…
