Love it or Hate it! Today's topic is Cilantro. There must be people who love it as you can buy fresh Cilantro in the herb section of the grocery store. But it isn't a love/hate story. It is a genetic one.
Between 3 and 21% of people say it has a soapy taste. Others are even less complimentary. Livescience.com says that genetics plays a major role in this experience. A survey of thousands found that there is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with cilantro aversion. It is found in a cluster of genes that code for olfactory receptors, and is known as OR26A. As well as tasting like soap, people say it is metallic and bitter.
How long have people been complaining about cilantro? Since the 1500s. Back then, they said it smelled like bedbugs. That's not a nice picture and it is a relief we don't have the situation today to make the comparison.
There are other polarizing foods - they include mushrooms, olives, blue cheese, mayonnaise and avocado. But they don'ts seem to be associated with genetics. Often, they are about food aversions and phobias caused by early childhood experiences.
And in the end?
"... and as proof positive that this isn't about being mature, sophisticated, or your palate developing, Julia Child had the gene. It's very, very well documented. She actually would say, “I would pick it out if I saw it and throw it on the floor.”
Here's an artichoke in flower - yes there is artichoke phobia.
