Tag: Cilantro aversion

Did you know that up to 14% of the population experiences cilantro as tasting like soap? If you have ever asked, 'why do I taste soap when I eat cilantro?', the answer lies in a fascinating interplay between your genes and the chemical compounds in the herb.

Approximately 4-14% of the US population experience cilantro taste aversion, a phenomenon where the fresh herb tastes distinctly like soap or dirt to some individuals due to specific genetic markers. This powerful dislike is more than a simple food preference and has a fascinating scientific basis.

An estimated 10% of the population has a specific genetic variation that makes cilantro taste like soap, providing the scientific explanation for why some of the world's most talented chefs don't like cilantro and ban it from their kitchen. This surprising fact reveals that even professional palates are subject to physiological predispositions.

According to a study published in the journal *Flavour*, between 3% and 21% of people across various ethnic groups report a dislike for the herb cilantro. This polarizing reaction, particularly the perception that it tastes like soap, is not a matter of pickiness but a fascinating biological and genetic phenomenon that explains **why can't some people eat cilantro**.