Coriander (cilantro) tasting like soap. Alternative? Or not bother?

[GroundAlmonds]

I was a bit slow on the uptake about this.

My 21 year old was talking about the way coriander tastes like soap to her. Apparently about a quarter of the population have a gene that makes it taste that way to them.

I looked it up and read about it and it turns out, to the majority of the population, coriander tases citrusy. I chewed a bit more, and d coded it definitely tastes more perfumey than fruity to me. So I have the same gene. Great. Slightly interesting. I’ve always quite liked coriander regardless. To me, it’s definitely an unusual taste.

A whole week later (today), I’m meal planning again and it suddenly hits me. Curries and chillies aren’t tasting to me as they “should” if I’m tasting coriander “wrong”. They aren’t supposed to have a soapy tinge to them. Mind blown.

So is there a substitution I can make? Or is it an individualised perception thing? 🥴🤯

You can overcome it if you persist. My DM now loves the vile stuff and she used to be in the 'soap' category.

Or just decide life is too short to eat something disgusting and leave it out every time - my approach. Poss chuck in parsley and lemon.

Although even I am starting to see the point of it.

I would just leave it out if you don't like it.

I just think it’s horrible so I don’t eat it. I never substitute anything - just leave it out.

Chilli
Ginger
Galangal
Thai basil
Tamarind
Lemon grass
Spring onion
Pistachio/cashew

@AnnaMagnani is right: I’m sure I used to think it was soapy too (as a kid) but I like it now—simply because I’ve eaten it such a lot. Persevere ✊

For me it has a very slight soapiness but I don't find it unpleasant so I still use it. You could use parsley instead?

I might try parsley.

The stupid thing is I didn’t dislike it until I had my attention drawn to how it should taste.

@Itisbetter

Chilli Ginger Galangal Thai basil Tamarind Lemon grass Spring onion Pistachio/cashew

Lemon grass sounds like a good idea too.

Maybe I’ll try a couple of alternatives.

I’m in the tastes soapy group too, and it’s never improved for me.

Now I leave it out and add extra fennel or cardamom, or if it’s for a finishing garnish I use gremolata, a mix of garlic, parsley and grated lemon 🍋 rind.

Oh I’ve never heard of grematola. Interesting.

Thanks all.

Don't know what to suggest to get over the 'soapy' taste.

(I'm one of the people for whom parmesan cheese smells of vomit).

It’s fine cooked, just don’t breathe it in raw.

So interesting! I always thought I was just odd in how I found the taste. Relieved!

Completely revolting stuff. Parsley is my 'go to' replacement

I never use it. Why would I if it tastes like soap? I will eat it in other peoples cooking and never make a fuss, but when I'm cooking I don't use it at all, and I don't keep it in the house.
I am a big fan of other herbs though, I love parsley, tarragon, chives, basil, rosemary, sage, Mint, thyme, bay leaf, dill, etc. Also a big fan of spices, onions of various varieties, garlic, ginger, mustard, black pepper and fresh chillis. There are literally so many amazing flavours, why eat something that tastes not great? Especially if you're children are quite likely to hate it too!

Yes you can train yourself to eat anything, but how bloody miserable. I would rather my food was glorious and joyful not tinged with the twang of dish soap and the bitterness of conformity.

@OrtamLeevz

Don't know what to suggest to get over the 'soapy' taste.

(I'm one of the people for whom parmesan cheese smells of vomit).

Eww. Hadn’t heard of that one. Nasty.

It's perfumey for sure not citrusy, but I still love it, but then I love lavender ice cream which my ex swore tasted of soap so I cannot be trusted. I can eat a bunch of coriander raw

I know it's probably pedantic but I'm pretty sure cilantro is the American name for Parsley, not coriander.

As for coriander, I was indifferent to it but I adore it in homemade guacamole with lots of lime and seasoning. It's a game changer for me

Cilantro is coriander not parsley.

@shouldhavecalleditoatabix

I know it's probably pedantic but I'm pretty sure cilantro is the American name for Parsley, not coriander.

As for coriander, I was indifferent to it but I adore it in homemade guacamole with lots of lime and seasoning. It's a game changer for me

It's definitely coriander

Cilantro is Coriander leaves, in America. Coriander can sometimes be called Chinese Parsley, though...

I love it, but it tastes of neither soap or perfume to me. I use it loads. Lemongrass is my number one substitute when I’ve run out, though.

Yes you can train yourself to eat anything, but how bloody miserable. I would rather my food was glorious and joyful not tinged with the twang of dish soap and the bitterness of conformity.

Poetically put.

I think I thought that that coriander tang was an acquired, adult taste like coffee or something and that it was essential to the authentic taste.

It’s not awful. It’s a distinctive and slightly unusual taste to me. I won’t miss it though.

My sister and I both get that disgusting soapy taste with coriander, but she also thinks that raspberries taste of soap while i love the way they taste (i.e. not soap!)

Fresh coriander tastes bad to me too but I find dried stuff is actually nice. I wonder what that means. Surely if one has the soapy taste I wouldn't like the other.

However, I can eat fresh as long as there's not too much in.

Doesn't taste like soap to me, it's one of my favourite herbs. Cumin, however, smells like sweaty armpits and I can't bear it. Millions couldn't live without it though. Not keen on lemongrass either. More millions. I'm a pariah.