"Nick Cramer" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>> Cilantro is an herb that people either love or hate, and I happen to
>> be one of those who hate it and thinks it tastes like soap.
>
> Which camp you're in is apparently genetically-based. Your description of
> the taste as "like soap" is the most common one I've heard from those who
> can't stand it.
>
>> [ . . . ]My guess is that cilantro is traditionally used to
>> cover up the taste of spoiled meat.
>
> My wife and daughter use cilantro a lot. They don't cook spoiled meat. ;-)
>
> --
> Nick, KI6VAV. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their
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> Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~ USMC 1365061

It is genetically based. About 15% (can't remember the exact number) of the
general population has an enzyme in their mouths that makes cilantro taste
either like soap or metallic. When I inadvertently get some cilantro it
tastes like I have just bitten down on a nice aluminum pot. Very
unpleasant.

Tim K