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For those who think cilantro tastes like soap, the culprit is likely their genes. Studies have shown that variations in a group of olfactory receptor genes, which encode proteins involved in smell perception, can cause some people to detect a soapy flavor in cilantro.
A 2012 study published in the journal Flavour identified a specific genetic variation, or SNP, called rs72921001 that was associated with detecting a soapy taste in cilantro. People with this SNP were more likely to describe cilantro as soapy and unpleasant.
For those who find cilantro’s taste off-putting, there may be hope yet. One strategy to reduce the soapy flavor is to crush or cook the cilantro leaves. Crushing the leaves can help break down the aldehydes responsible for the soapy taste, while cooking the herb can also alter its flavor profile.
Some cilantro haters find that they can tolerate the herb better when it’s been crushed or cooked in dishes like salsa or curry.