I'm growing cilantro this year I have decided that I can't stand the flavor. If I wanted cucumber flavored soap in my food, that's what I'd use :) Unfortunately, my fiance loves cilantro and it seems to be the trendy herb this season so all the new recipes are using it. Are there any substitutes (besides parsley) that don't taste like soap?
Cilantro substitutes?
Soap? What are you putting on it?
I think a lot depends on what dish you are using it on. Here's a link that you may find interesting.
http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2006-05-02/buerger-ihatecilantro
Lin
I'm with you, Katlian - I hate the stuff! Don't let them bully you. LOL
Wow, there's a website for everything.
As to what I'm putting on it, the answer is nothing but water. It hasn't been sprayed with anything and there aren't any bugs eating it either. I know it's supposed to get more soapy tasting if it sits around for a while between chopping and eating but the stuff straight off the plant is awful too.
Has anyone read the research papers about the influence of genetics on the ability to taste certain bitter compounds in food? Maybe it works the same way with the flavors in cilantro. The people who like it just can't taste the unpleasant flavors. Just an idea...
There's also an orchid that people either love or hate. I saw one in a nursery and a lady was rhapsodizing about the scent. When my friend and I had a sniff, it smelled like garbage gone bad. I expect it is just a difference in taste buds and scent receptors (or whatever they are called).
Back to your problem - can you serve the cilantro on the side, or are you making something that requires it be mixed in? To be honest, though I can't stand to handle the stuff, I have had dishes where it was palatable, so perhaps it's the amount used. Also, does anyone know if there are different varieties?
I love the stuff. LOL!!!
My DH loves it, for me it depends on what it's in, but I'm not a big fan.
Lin, loved the link. I'm not a huge cilantro fan, but I grow it, I buy it and use it from time to time. (DH loves tarragon, kind of the same with it.) But I agree, it can taste or smell soapy, especially when used excessively.
I agree it tastes like soap, but it does lend itself to some dishes. Especially Indian.
How odd. It has never tasted soapy to me. The seed can, however. Living here where Mexican food is such a big thing, it comes naturally to me to like cilantro. And I also lived several years in North Africa, where it's used even more in their cuisine.
Ugh. There are a couple of recipes where I use small amounts, as an accent, but in general I can't stand that soapy flavor either!
I just ignore it. I bought some once to put in a recipe - very tiny amount - and threw the rest out because I couldn't stand to have it around. So now I just don't bother.
You guys are funny!
Blah yuck for me too. I think it tastes like mildew might although I've never eaten mildew LOL. It just tastes like its something that has gone bad IMHO. I use flat-leaf Italian parsley or ignore it.
Dont travel to Mexico - or eat real Mexican food - they add it to everything. Growing up down there I love the flavor and have been known to eat it in salads with my other herbs.