....on the cilantro. Or on SOME variable.

I love cilantro. Or at least I did until this weekend. Visiting a
friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. Salsa had
what appeared to be fresh cilantro. It tasted like soap!!

I've not encountered this before. Never understood why people thought
cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
The pH? The water?

Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
project ought to investigate this.

Best -- Terry

***Same name as the one here in Murray; is Mariachi Loco a chain or
just a convenient name?

Terry said...

> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
> project ought to investigate this.


Well, why don't you go back to school? It seems to concern you so much! Be
sure to report back to us after your research.

Fidiot!

Andy

Terry wrote:
> ...on the cilantro. Or on SOME variable.
>
> I love cilantro. Or at least I did until this weekend. Visiting a
> friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. Salsa had
> what appeared to be fresh cilantro. It tasted like soap!!

Well, that's a new one! It's been explained away as a genetic thing.

> I've not encountered this before. Never understood why people thought
> cilantro tasted like soap.

Tastes like soap. (laugh)

> Now I understand. But clearly there's a
> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
> The pH? The water?

It seems as though two people could be eating the same dish
and have a different reaction. I don't know why I've been able to
tolerate the taste of cilantro in the last year. I've read that you can
overcome your 'soap taste' reaction with repeated exposure.

Maybe there's something else going on.

nancy

On Aug 18, 6:48*am, Terry > wrote:
> ...on the cilantro. *Or on SOME variable.
>
> I love cilantro. *Or at least I did until this weekend. *Visiting a
> friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. *Salsa had
> what appeared to be fresh cilantro. *It tasted like soap!!
>
> I've not encountered this before. *Never understood why people thought
> cilantro tasted like soap. *Now I understand. *But clearly there's a
> variable that we aren't getting. *Is it the particular variety of
> cilantro? *Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? *The age?
> The pH? *The water?
>
> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
> project ought to investigate this.

I find that the leaves do not "taste like soap," or taste bad at all,
but the stems taste bad. If you carefully cut off the leaves and
discard the stems, you'll get a much subtler flavor.

>
> Best -- Terry

--Bryan
>
> ***Same name as the one here in Murray; is Mariachi Loco a chain or
> just a convenient name?

Terry wrote:
> ...on the cilantro. Or on SOME variable.
>
> I love cilantro. Or at least I did until this weekend. Visiting a
> friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. Salsa had
> what appeared to be fresh cilantro. It tasted like soap!!
>
> I've not encountered this before. Never understood why people thought
> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
> The pH? The water?
>
> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
> project ought to investigate this.
>
> Best -- Terry
>
> ***Same name as the one here in Murray; is Mariachi Loco a chain or
> just a convenient name?

1. what you had before was not cilantro, or this time it was not
properly cleaned and throughly rinsed so it still had a soap residue.
2. some other ingredient or the container the salsa was served in was
not properly cleaned and rinsed so it had a soap residue.

I have had salsa from a mexican restaurant that contained cilantro that
had a soapy taste. But I have bought cilantro from a market, rinsed it
very well in water only, and it did not have a soapy taste when it was used.

cl

On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:

> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
> The pH? The water?

Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. Some people have it, some
don't. Much like a similar genetic quirk that makes some people's
urine stink after eationg asparagus. Put me down for stinky urine,
but no soap taste.

nb

notbob wrote:
> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>
>> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
>> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
>> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
>> The pH? The water?
>
> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. Some people have it, some
> don't.


Possibly, but put me in the category of people who used to think it
tasted like soap but now enjoy it. I still don't like it by itself, but
it does add a nice flavor to many foods

gloria p

"Terry" > wrote in message
...
> ...on the cilantro. Or on SOME variable.
>
> I love cilantro. Or at least I did until this weekend. Visiting a
> friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. Salsa had
> what appeared to be fresh cilantro. It tasted like soap!!
>
> I've not encountered this before. Never understood why people thought
> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
> The pH? The water?

Cilantro has always tasted like soap to me, I've no idea what it's supposed
to taste like.

> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
> project ought to investigate this.
>
>
Only reasonable scientific explanation is taste bud migration. hehe

Gloria P wrote:
> notbob wrote:
>> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>>
>>> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
>>> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
>>> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
>>> The pH? The water?
>>
>> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. Some people have it, some
>> don't.
>
>
> Possibly, but put me in the category of people who used to think it
> tasted like soap but now enjoy it. I still don't like it by itself, but
> it does add a nice flavor to many foods
>
> gloria p

DW still won't taste or eat cilantro. I have never found it to taste
like soap. A little different tang from flat leaf parsley but okay to me.

On Aug 18, 10:01*am, George Shirley > wrote:
> Gloria P wrote:
> > notbob wrote:
> >> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>
> >>> cilantro tasted like soap. *Now I understand. *But clearly there's a
> >>> variable that we aren't getting. *Is it the particular variety of
> >>> cilantro? *Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? *The age?
> >>> The pH? *The water?
>
> >> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. *Some people have it, some
> >> don't.
>
> > Possibly, but put me in the category of people who used to think it
> > tasted like soap but now enjoy it. *I still don't like it by itself, but
> > it does add a nice flavor to many foods
>
> > gloria p
>
> DW still won't taste or eat cilantro. I have never found it to taste
> like soap. A little different tang from flat leaf parsley but okay to me.

They taste nothing alike. They are not even in the same genus.

--Bryan

Gloria P wrote:
> Possibly, but put me in the category of people who used to think it
> tasted like soap but now enjoy it. I still don't like it by itself, but
> it does add a nice flavor to many foods
>
> gloria p

Right. I still don't use whole bunches of it, but some cuisines
just seem to call for cilantro!

--
Jean B.

Yes, cilantro DOES tend to taste like soap. Ivory Soap at that!

I'd use is sparingly in a dish, though it DOES enhance the flavor of
things.


--
Big Daddy's House

I'm a Supreme Fan of Bentley Green & Aaron McCargo Jr.!!

Come over to CookingForums.net and check us out!

BDH. :th_chef:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big Daddy's House's Profile: http://www.cookingjunkies.com/member.php?userid=110
View this thread: http://www.cookingjunkies.com/showthread.php?t=26531

cl wrote on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:45:30 -0700:

> Terry wrote:
>> ...on the cilantro. Or on SOME variable.
>>
>> I love cilantro. Or at least I did until this weekend. Visiting a
>> friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican
>> restaurant***. Salsa had what appeared to be fresh cilantro.
>> It tasted like soap!! I've not encountered this before. Never
>> understood why
>> people thought cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But
>> clearly there's a variable that we aren't getting. Is it
>> the particular variety of cilantro? Is it the difference
>> between fresh and frozen? The age? The pH? The water?
>>
>> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful
>> research project ought to investigate this.
>>
>> Best -- Terry
>>
>> ***Same name as the one here in Murray; is Mariachi Loco a
>> chain or just a convenient name?

> 1. what you had before was not cilantro, or this time it was
> not properly cleaned and throughly rinsed so it still had a
> soap residue. 2. some other ingredient or the container the
> salsa was served in was not properly cleaned and rinsed so it had a
> soap residue.

> I have had salsa from a mexican restaurant that contained
> cilantro that had a soapy taste. But I have bought cilantro
> from a market, rinsed it very well in water only, and it did
> not have a soapy taste when it was used.

Not again! It's genetic and there are *three* (3) reactions not two:
great, soap, none.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

On Aug 18, 4:48*am, Terry > wrote:
> ...on the cilantro. *Or on SOME variable.
>
> I love cilantro. *Or at least I did until this weekend. *Visiting a
> friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. *Salsa had
> what appeared to be fresh cilantro. *It tasted like soap!!
>
> I've not encountered this before. *Never understood why people thought
> cilantro tasted like soap. *Now I understand. *But clearly there's a
> variable that we aren't getting. *Is it the particular variety of
> cilantro? *Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? *The age?
> The pH? *The water?
>
> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
> project ought to investigate this.
>
> Best -- Terry
>
> ***Same name as the one here in Murray; is Mariachi Loco a chain or
> just a convenient name?

I used to be able to eat it,it has begun to taste like soap to me
also. Now, when I make fresh salsa, I just leave it out.

Harriet & critters in azusa, ca

"Big Daddy's House" wrote:
>
> Yes, cilantro DOES tend to taste like soap. Ivory Soap at that!
>
> I'd use is sparingly in a dish, though it DOES enhance the flavor of
> things.
>

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to remember to wash my dick with Ivory soap.

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:45:30 -0700, cl wrote:

> Terry wrote:
>> ...on the cilantro. Or on SOME variable.
>>
>> I love cilantro. Or at least I did until this weekend. Visiting a
>> friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. Salsa had
>> what appeared to be fresh cilantro. It tasted like soap!!
>>
>> I've not encountered this before. Never understood why people thought
>> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
>> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
>> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
>> The pH? The water?
>>
>> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
>> project ought to investigate this.
>>
>> Best -- Terry
>>
>> ***Same name as the one here in Murray; is Mariachi Loco a chain or
>> just a convenient name?
>
> 1. what you had before was not cilantro, or this time it was not
> properly cleaned and throughly rinsed so it still had a soap residue.
> 2. some other ingredient or the container the salsa was served in was
> not properly cleaned and rinsed so it had a soap residue.
>
> I have had salsa from a mexican restaurant that contained cilantro that
> had a soapy taste. But I have bought cilantro from a market, rinsed it
> very well in water only, and it did not have a soapy taste when it was used.
>
> cl

how many people (let alone restaurants) wash their vegetables with *soap*?

your pal,
blake

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:48:51 -0500, Terry wrote:

> ...on the cilantro. Or on SOME variable.
>
> I love cilantro. Or at least I did until this weekend. Visiting a
> friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. Salsa had
> what appeared to be fresh cilantro. It tasted like soap!!
>
> I've not encountered this before. Never understood why people thought
> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
> The pH? The water?
>
> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
> project ought to investigate this.
>
> Best -- Terry
>
> ***Same name as the one here in Murray; is Mariachi Loco a chain or
> just a convenient name?

this is a new on one me. my understanding is that it's genetic; but some
acquire a taste for it. the reverse i've not heard of. maybe there was
just too much of it, but that wouldn't explain it suddenly tasting like
soap.

it's puzzling.

your pal,
blake

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:00:16 -0500, Andy wrote:

> Terry said...
>
>> Some enterprising bio student who wants to do a useful research
>> project ought to investigate this.
>
> Well, why don't you go back to school? It seems to concern you so much! Be
> sure to report back to us after your research.
>
> Fidiot!
>
> Andy

by all means, let's get back to what you had for breakfast.

blake

blake murphy said...

> this is a new on one me. my understanding


You're cathcing on!

blake murphy wrote:
> On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:45:30 -0700, cl wrote:

>> 1. what you had before was not cilantro, or this time it was not
>> properly cleaned and throughly rinsed so it still had a soap residue.
>> 2. some other ingredient or the container the salsa was served in was
>> not properly cleaned and rinsed so it had a soap residue.
>>
>> I have had salsa from a mexican restaurant that contained cilantro
>> that
>> had a soapy taste. But I have bought cilantro from a market, rinsed
>> it
>> very well in water only, and it did not have a soapy taste when it
>> was used.

> how many people (let alone restaurants) wash their vegetables with
> *soap*?

And if they did, surely the other herbs at the same place would have
that soap flavor.

nancy

"notbob" > wrote in message
...
> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>
>> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
>> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
>> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
>> The pH? The water?
>
> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. Some people have it, some
> don't. Much like a similar genetic quirk that makes some people's
> urine stink after eationg asparagus. Put me down for stinky urine,
> but no soap taste.
>
AIUI asparagus makes everyone's **** stink. It's just that some lack the
ability to smell that particular aroma.

graham wrote:
> "notbob" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>>
>>> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
>>> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
>>> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
>>> The pH? The water?
>> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. Some people have it, some
>> don't. Much like a similar genetic quirk that makes some people's
>> urine stink after eationg asparagus. Put me down for stinky urine,
>> but no soap taste.
>>
> AIUI asparagus makes everyone's **** stink. It's just that some lack the
> ability to smell that particular aroma.
>
>
Well, there is a way to test that theory. No, I'm not volunteering.

--
Jean B.

On Aug 18, 8:06�am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> It seems as though two people could be eating the same dish
> and have a different reaction. �I don't know why I've been able to
> tolerate the taste of cilantro in the last year. �I've read that you can
> overcome your 'soap taste' reaction with repeated exposure.
>
> Maybe there's something else going on.
>
> nancy

I've never thought of cilantro as tasting like soap. To me it has a
chemical or a metallic taste to it. As far as overcoming the taste of
it with repeated exposure is concerned, if I don't like something the
first time I try it I'm certainly not going to keep trying it just to
learn to like it. There's plenty of other things to eat.

> wrote
>I've never thought of cilantro as tasting like soap. To me it has a
>chemical or a metallic taste to it.

Tastes like burning plastic smells.

wrote:
> On Aug 18, 8:06�am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>> It seems as though two people could be eating the same dish
>> and have a different reaction. �I don't know why I've been able to
>> tolerate the taste of cilantro in the last year. �I've read that you
>> can overcome your 'soap taste' reaction with repeated exposure.

> I've never thought of cilantro as tasting like soap. To me it has a
> chemical or a metallic taste to it. As far as overcoming the taste of
> it with repeated exposure is concerned, if I don't like something the
> first time I try it I'm certainly not going to keep trying it just to
> learn to like it. There's plenty of other things to eat.

While I couldn't agree with you more (I think that about a lot of things
people eat) cilantro can be difficult to avoid. If you eat out, sometimes
you find most of the items on the menu contain the flavor/food du jour.
I have found myself downing guacamole infested with cilantro, same
with some otherwise delicious appetizers.

I don't deliberately seek out cilantro trying to get used to it.

nancy

On Aug 18, 11:27*am, Bobo Bonobo® > wrote:
> On Aug 18, 10:01*am, George Shirley > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Gloria P wrote:
> > > notbob wrote:
> > >> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>
> > >>> cilantro tasted like soap. *Now I understand. *But clearly there's a
> > >>> variable that we aren't getting. *Is it the particular variety of
> > >>> cilantro? *Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? *The age?
> > >>> The pH? *The water?
>
> > >> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. *Some people have it, some
> > >> don't.
>
> > > Possibly, but put me in the category of people who used to think it
> > > tasted like soap but now enjoy it. *I still don't like it by itself, but
> > > it does add a nice flavor to many foods
>
> > > gloria p
>
> > DW still won't taste or eat cilantro. I have never found it to taste
> > like soap. A little different tang from flat leaf parsley but okay to me.
>
> They taste nothing alike. *They are not even in the same genus.
>
> --Bryan

you're full of shit as usual soap is a by product of cilantro in many
cultures if you watch 'apocolypto' you will see that the priest class
soaps their victim with residu of cilantro
just because it's mixed with soap made out of fat doesn't mean that
cilantro isn't equal to soap
but then you eat bernaise sauce made with ketchup and dried grocery
store tarragon if you don't believe me read recent post by me where i
prove that you are a bone head

On Aug 18, 1:36*pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> wrote:
> > On Aug 18, 8:06 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> >> It seems as though two people could be eating the same dish
> >> and have a different reaction. I don't know why I've been able to
> >> tolerate the taste of cilantro in the last year. I've read that you
> >> can overcome your 'soap taste' reaction with repeated exposure.
> > I've never thought of cilantro as tasting like soap. *To me it has a
> > chemical or a metallic taste to it. *As far as overcoming the taste of
> > it with repeated exposure is concerned, if I don't like something the
> > first time I try it I'm certainly not going to keep trying it just to
> > learn to like it. *There's plenty of other things to eat.
>
> While I couldn't agree with you more (I think that about a lot of things
> people eat) cilantro can be difficult to avoid. *If you eat out, sometimes
> you find most of the items on the menu contain the flavor/food du jour.
> I have found myself downing guacamole infested with cilantro

Any place that puts cilantro into their guac, I don't eat there again.
>
> nancy

--Bryan

On Aug 18, 2:46*pm, Bobo Bonobo® > wrote:
> On Aug 18, 1:36*pm, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > wrote:
> > > On Aug 18, 8:06 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> > >> It seems as though two people could be eating the same dish
> > >> and have a different reaction. I don't know why I've been able to
> > >> tolerate the taste of cilantro in the last year. I've read that you
> > >> can overcome your 'soap taste' reaction with repeated exposure.
> > > I've never thought of cilantro as tasting like soap. *To me it has a
> > > chemical or a metallic taste to it. *As far as overcoming the taste of
> > > it with repeated exposure is concerned, if I don't like something the
> > > first time I try it I'm certainly not going to keep trying it just to
> > > learn to like it. *There's plenty of other things to eat.
>
> > While I couldn't agree with you more (I think that about a lot of things
> > people eat) cilantro can be difficult to avoid. *If you eat out, sometimes
> > you find most of the items on the menu contain the flavor/food du jour.
> > I have found myself downing guacamole infested with cilantro
>
> Any place that puts cilantro into their guac, I don't eat there again.
>

easy way to get rid of you

On Aug 18, 1:43*pm, "Bent Attorney Esq." >
wrote:
> On Aug 18, 11:27*am, Bobo Bonobo® > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Aug 18, 10:01*am, George Shirley > wrote:
>
> > > Gloria P wrote:
> > > > notbob wrote:
> > > >> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>
> > > >>> cilantro tasted like soap. *Now I understand. *But clearly there's a
> > > >>> variable that we aren't getting. *Is it the particular variety of
> > > >>> cilantro? *Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? *The age?
> > > >>> The pH? *The water?
>
> > > >> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. *Some people have it, some
> > > >> don't.
>
> > > > Possibly, but put me in the category of people who used to think it
> > > > tasted like soap but now enjoy it. *I still don't like it by itself, but
> > > > it does add a nice flavor to many foods
>
> > > > gloria p
>
> > > DW still won't taste or eat cilantro. I have never found it to taste
> > > like soap. A little different tang from flat leaf parsley but okay to me.
>
> > They taste nothing alike. *They are not even in the same genus.
>
> > --Bryan
>
> you're full of shit as usual *soap is a by product of cilantro in many
> cultures *if you watch 'apocolypto' you will see that the priest class
> soaps their victim with residu of cilantro
> just because it's mixed with soap made out of fat doesn't mean that
> cilantro isn't equal to soap
> but then you eat bernaise sauce made with ketchup and dried grocery
> store tarragon *if you don't believe me read recent post by me where i
> prove that you are a bone head

While you're fooling around here, there are folks crossing your bridge
without paying.

--Bryan

"Jean B." > wrote in message
...
> graham wrote:
>> "notbob" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>>>
>>>> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
>>>> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
>>>> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
>>>> The pH? The water?
>>> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. Some people have it, some
>>> don't. Much like a similar genetic quirk that makes some people's
>>> urine stink after eationg asparagus. Put me down for stinky urine,
>>> but no soap taste.
>>>
>> AIUI asparagus makes everyone's **** stink. It's just that some lack the
>> ability to smell that particular aroma.
> Well, there is a way to test that theory. No, I'm not volunteering.
>
For thr eating or the sniffing? {;-)

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:23:33 -0400, blake murphy
> wrote:

>this is a new on one me. my understanding is that it's genetic; but some
>acquire a taste for it. the reverse i've not heard of. maybe there was
>just too much of it, but that wouldn't explain it suddenly tasting like
>soap.
>
>it's puzzling.
>
>your pal,
>blake

Thank you for understanding my point. I've eaten Mexican hundreds of
times in dozens of restaurants. I have always enjoyed the flavor that
cilantro adds (especially to salsa). Until Saturday. Which is a
strong suggestion that it's *not* a genetic thing.

Terry

"Jean B." > wrote:
> graham wrote:
>
> > AIUI asparagus makes everyone's **** stink. *It's just that some lack the
> > ability to smell that particular aroma.
>
> Well, there is a way to test that theory. *No, I'm not volunteering.

The experiment takes a genetic piece and a cultural
piece - Be a male in a place with enough population
that the mens rooms have several urinals. Wait for
asparugus to go in season but don't eat it all the time.
If you can smell the asparugus on your own urine (I
can) every so often someone at the next urinal
recently ate some. Whew! The aroma wafts whether
you want it or not.

Yet another genetic taste issue is paprika and
considering it hot. To me it's not hot and it has a flavor
that is mild and subtle but good. I liked the smoked
type of paprika. I tend to use a *lot* of pakrika in the
dishes I put any in. One time a friend of Hungarian
ethnic origin was over for dinner on a day I'd made a
stew with paprika in it. I ladled it onto our plates and
started eating. He took one bite and it was like his
head exploded. He thought the stew was *hot*. As
hot as if I'd added jalepenno chilis to the stew not
paprika. He explained the genetic trait to me and I
offered him other dishes.

I'm in the population who likes cilantro and it does not
taste like soap to me. Folks who think it tastes like
soap developing a taste for it? News to me but it should
be possible. Getting the soap taste for the first time
after having lots over the years? News to me. If the
reaction is caused by a specific chemical then the
freshness of the cilanto would be important to the level
of that chemical present in it.

In article >,
says...
>
> On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:23:33 -0400, blake murphy
> > wrote:
>
> >this is a new on one me. my understanding is that it's genetic; but some
> >acquire a taste for it. the reverse i've not heard of. maybe there was
> >just too much of it, but that wouldn't explain it suddenly tasting like
> >soap.
> >
> >it's puzzling.
> >
> >your pal,
> >blake
>
> Thank you for understanding my point. I've eaten Mexican hundreds of
> times in dozens of restaurants. I have always enjoyed the flavor that
> cilantro adds (especially to salsa). Until Saturday. Which is a
> strong suggestion that it's *not* a genetic thing.
>
> Terry

I can tolerate cilantro in a prepared dish but by itself, yes it does
taste like soap.

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:15:32 -0700 (PDT), Doug Freyburger
> wrote:

>Yet another genetic taste issue is paprika and
>considering it hot. To me it's not hot and it has a flavor
>that is mild and subtle but good. I liked the smoked
>type of paprika. I tend to use a *lot* of pakrika in the
>dishes I put any in. One time a friend of Hungarian
>ethnic origin was over for dinner on a day I'd made a
>stew with paprika in it. I ladled it onto our plates and
>started eating. He took one bite and it was like his
>head exploded. He thought the stew was *hot*. As
>hot as if I'd added jalepenno chilis to the stew not
>paprika. He explained the genetic trait to me and I
>offered him other dishes.

Holy cow, you can only imagine his reaction if you'd made it with
*hot* Hungarian paprika instead of the sweet stuff.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

sf wrote:
> On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:15:32 -0700 (PDT), Doug Freyburger
> > wrote:
>
>> Yet another genetic taste issue is paprika and
>> considering it hot. To me it's not hot and it has a flavor
>> that is mild and subtle but good. I liked the smoked
>> type of paprika. I tend to use a *lot* of pakrika in the
>> dishes I put any in. One time a friend of Hungarian
>> ethnic origin was over for dinner on a day I'd made a
>> stew with paprika in it. I ladled it onto our plates and
>> started eating. He took one bite and it was like his
>> head exploded. He thought the stew was *hot*. As
>> hot as if I'd added jalepenno chilis to the stew not
>> paprika. He explained the genetic trait to me and I
>> offered him other dishes.
>
> Holy cow, you can only imagine his reaction if you'd made it with
> *hot* Hungarian paprika instead of the sweet stuff.
>

Or hot Spanish paprika. That spice is quite hot!

As for cilantro, I've found times when it tasted quite soapy and times
when it tasted fresh, more like parsley. Both flavors occurred in
several different countries eating in local restaurants. I wonder if
there is a difference between the upper, younger leaves, and the lower
ones. There is certainly a difference when using different parts of
plants. Perhaps this is the case with cilantro?

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:18:16 GMT, brooklyn1 wrote:

> "Big Daddy's House" wrote:
>>
>> Yes, cilantro DOES tend to taste like soap. Ivory Soap at that!
>>
>> I'd use is sparingly in a dish, though it DOES enhance the flavor of
>> things.
>>
>
> Thanks for the tip, I'll have to remember to wash my dick with Ivory soap.

the cats would be happier if you washed your dick, period.

blake

On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:50:21 -0500, Terry wrote:

> On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:23:33 -0400, blake murphy
> > wrote:
>
>>this is a new on one me. my understanding is that it's genetic; but some
>>acquire a taste for it. the reverse i've not heard of. maybe there was
>>just too much of it, but that wouldn't explain it suddenly tasting like
>>soap.
>>
>>it's puzzling.
>>
>>your pal,
>>blake
>
> Thank you for understanding my point. I've eaten Mexican hundreds of
> times in dozens of restaurants. I have always enjoyed the flavor that
> cilantro adds (especially to salsa). Until Saturday. Which is a
> strong suggestion that it's *not* a genetic thing.
>
> Terry

it seemed pretty straightforward to me.

your pal,
blake

Nancy Young wrote:
>
> Terry wrote:
> > ...on the cilantro. Or on SOME variable.
> >
> > I love cilantro. Or at least I did until this weekend. Visiting a
> > friend in WI, he took me to a local Mexican restaurant***. Salsa had
> > what appeared to be fresh cilantro. It tasted like soap!!
>
> Well, that's a new one! It's been explained away as a genetic thing.

It is essential genetic. But genetic factors can be influenced by
environmental factors. Perhaps this coriander/cilantro had more of
certain molecules than other coriander eaten previously. In the same way
that fresh onions can range from explosive to tasteless.


>
> > I've not encountered this before. Never understood why people thought
> > cilantro tasted like soap.
>
> Tastes like soap. (laugh)
>
> > Now I understand. But clearly there's a
> > variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
> > cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
> > The pH? The water?
>
> It seems as though two people could be eating the same dish
> and have a different reaction. I don't know why I've been able to
> tolerate the taste of cilantro in the last year. I've read that you can
> overcome your 'soap taste' reaction with repeated exposure.
>
> Maybe there's something else going on.
>
> nancy

Taste is very complicated in any event. Didn't like freshly-picked
coriander leaves when offered by a Thai friend in her garden, although
'soapy' didn't occur to me. With time and repeated exposure, in context,
grew to love it. My taste buds are still the same; the exposure makes
the difference.

graham wrote:
> "Jean B." > wrote in message
> ...
>> graham wrote:
>>> "notbob" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On 2009-08-18, Terry > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> cilantro tasted like soap. Now I understand. But clearly there's a
>>>>> variable that we aren't getting. Is it the particular variety of
>>>>> cilantro? Is it the difference between fresh and frozen? The age?
>>>>> The pH? The water?
>>>> Last I heard, it was a genetic thing. Some people have it, some
>>>> don't. Much like a similar genetic quirk that makes some people's
>>>> urine stink after eationg asparagus. Put me down for stinky urine,
>>>> but no soap taste.
>>>>
>>> AIUI asparagus makes everyone's **** stink. It's just that some lack the
>>> ability to smell that particular aroma.
>> Well, there is a way to test that theory. No, I'm not volunteering.
>>
> For thr eating or the sniffing? {;-)
>
>
The latter.

--
Jean B.

James Silverton wrote:
> cl wrote on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:45:30 -0700:
>
>> Terry wrote:
>
>> 1. what you had before was not cilantro, or this time it was
>> not properly cleaned and throughly rinsed so it still had a
>> soap residue. 2. some other ingredient or the container the
>> salsa was served in was not properly cleaned and rinsed so it had a
>> soap residue.
>
>> I have had salsa from a mexican restaurant that contained
>> cilantro that had a soapy taste. But I have bought cilantro
>> from a market, rinsed it very well in water only, and it did
>> not have a soapy taste when it was used.
>
> Not again! It's genetic and there are *three* (3) reactions not two:
> great, soap, none.
>

So how do you explain that I have tasted cilantro at two different times
and only once did it taste like soap? It if was genetic it should have
tasted like soap both times since the same person was involved! This
suggests that some other factor(s) might be involved. Do you have any
link or published article of a genetic test which proves which gene or
genes are involved in this genetic ability for cilantro to taste like
soap or not?

I posted two possible reasons for cilantro to taste like soap not the
reactions to it whether it be three as you think or not.

cl