How do you feel about Cilantro

[ChicagoRon]

Yeah.. instead of soap, roesemary has a bit of a pine-sol thing to it... but I like it if used correctly. Just cilantro offends my palate.

 

[imatlas]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

For the people who hate cilantro, do you also hate coriander? I know the tastes are different, but same plant.

As I said, I'm not a big fan of cilantro, but I don't mind coriander at all. You can't make a decent masala chai without it!

 

[HORNS]

I always put crushed coriander seeds in the water I'm using to steam artichokes, along with crushed bay leaves and crushed black pepper. I then put thinly-sliced lemon into the steamer basket with the 'chokes.

 

[MCsommerreid]

Originally Posted by Sic Semper

I wonder if there is a genetic basis for not liking it. It's a staple in Asian and Latin kitchens. Maybe the inverse of lactose intolerance for Euros?

There is, actually, relating to the ability to taste PTC. The taste of PTC can be bitter, soapy, or tasteless depending on how sensitive one is to it.

 

[impolyt_one]

I'd eat cilantro on anything

 

[a-rock]

Cilantro - the more the merrier.
Same with scallions, garlic, etc.

 

[Thomas]

It's great with beans, like it very much on some dishes like fish tacos. Growing it is astonishingly easy, though - grows like a weed down here!

 

[foodguy]

that's an interesting subject: i find there are many herbs that are more objectionable than cilantro (when overused). Rosemary is one. Sage is another. Oregano (particularly fresh, which is almost inedible).

 

[Mr. Clean]

The taste is not for me. I substitute parsley.

 

[Sic Semper]

Originally Posted by foodguy

very funny! i remember eating Japanese food with him and the chef slipped a piece of cilantro into an omakase dish and he practically fainted. turned white, the whole thing.
there are genetic markers that affect flavor (or our perceptions of flavor). perhaps the most famous is the "asparagus urine" test ... it used to be believed that only certain people's urine picked up that scent ... then they found that the truth was that only certain people could SMELL the difference.
But fun fact aside, I'm a little skeptical that's what's going on with cilantro. i think it has a very powerful flavor and while i personally never got the whole "soapy" thing, i can see how other people might.

At Kaz?

See the NY Times article. I've only faintly picked up the soapiness. Chalked it up to some enthusiastic farmer and his chemicals. But there are similar aldehydes. The more useful information in the article is that crushing cilantro "leaves will give leaf enzymes the chance to gradually convert the aldehydes into other substances with no aroma." Pesto is suggested.

So, haters. Start crushing. It'll taste good baby... I promise.

 

[fritzl]

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

it is an acquired taste.

i can easily live without it...

 

[sho'nuff]

i sometimes nibble on the cilantro that is on those prep plates that you get at pho places .

 

[Sic Semper]

Sweet and spicy condiment salad: sprouts, siracha, mint or basil and hoisin. Gives the soup just enough time to steep.

 

[CDFS]

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

i love cilantro. however it is an acquired taste. i remember when i first had it when i was around 10 years old, i did not know what it was but the flavor suddenly made me gag and i had no recourse but to spit everything out and flush my taste buds with coca cola or something.

Funny, this is what happened the first time I drank a coke, or rather, it came out of my nose...

 

[dv_indian]

I like it. It is used a lot in Indian cooking.