Cilantro: Way or No Way?
This should be interesting, since I gather there's an enzyme that can make it taste like soap to some. I'm wondering if it's just a few or many. Maybe they're in the majority? I guess we'll see.
I'm a Way. It adds something to the party, but I'm never super aware of it.
You?
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63 Comments:
Way!
Maureen at 10:29AM on 12/18/08
No. It seems to make me want to hurl.
JerzeeTomato at 10:33AM on 12/18/08
WAY!!!
hammondcheese at 10:35AM on 12/18/08
Way! Way! Way! Unfortunately, my husband hates it.
Stephanie at 10:43AM on 12/18/08
Way! =)
breukelencook at 10:46AM on 12/18/08
The first time I tried it, I was about 13 and my cousin and I both struggled for about an hour to come up with an adequate description - it wasn't anything like we'd tasted before. He said it tasted like soap, I said it tasted like carpet. Together, we concluded, it tasted like soapy carpet. Obviously, we weren't fans. But then one day I was eating this wonderful soup with mussels, onions and a lot of cilantro in a Chinatown restaurant. It changed my life it was so delicious. Now I love it and would eat it in pretty much anything.
WAY!
LHSK12 at 10:47AM on 12/18/08
I like the flavor, but for some reason I always end up with a nasty headache after consuming anything with cilantro in it.
dhorst at 10:59AM on 12/18/08
@LHSK12 -- Your experience with cilantro is exactly like mine! For years I resisted cilantro, even going as far as specially ordering dishes at restaurants with the edict, "PLEASE NO CILANTRO" as I had always thought it tasted like soap. But then, about 5 years ago, someone made me fresh, homemade salsa, and the cilantro in it didn't bother me...in fact, I fell head over heels in love. Now, I add it to everything (except italian meals) -- including soups, grilled meats, salsas, salads, asian dishes, etc. So in years past, NO WAY. But now, WAY!!!!
juliebugsmama at 11:01AM on 12/18/08
Absolutely way! I grew up exposed to it (and lots of other fresh herbs), and many wonderful dishes wouldn't taste the same without it!
brooke29 at 11:02AM on 12/18/08
no
no
no
ok, maybe in very small doses
sloppy at 11:03AM on 12/18/08
Way and I mean a big WAY too. I can't get enough of this stuff, probably one of my favorite herbs. Mexican food is just not the same unless I cover it in fresh cilantro.
stewmeat at 11:06AM on 12/18/08
I love it. Adore it. Put it in everything I can!
ChelleyD01 at 11:08AM on 12/18/08
Definitely way!
I also grew-up on fresh herbs daily--cilantro makes my salad world go 'round!
hungrychristel at 11:14AM on 12/18/08
Way, but SO hates it.
hungryinhouston at 11:21AM on 12/18/08
Way! My family's new favorite salad dressing:
1 part olive oil
3 parts veggie oil
juice of 2 small key limes
cumin
salt/pepper
a good handful of chopped cilantro
finsbigfan at 11:26AM on 12/18/08
Way! I have learned to love it although it does taste like soap (Woolite to be specific) to me.
Blue Iris at 11:26AM on 12/18/08
absolutelty no f'n way ever. keep it away from me. it tastes like poison, and chemicals, and evil all rolled into one. it ruins perfectly good salsa. and makes guacamole untouchable. im seiously getting emotional right now... i have to stop.
nalega at 11:26AM on 12/18/08
WAY, WAY, WAY!! I've never actually understood people who say it tastes like soap - interesting to know it's an enzyme.
suthungirl at 11:47AM on 12/18/08
Some people also think it tastes bitter which I find bizarre.
stewmeat at 11:54AM on 12/18/08
WAY!!!
CookiePie at 11:56AM on 12/18/08
How would I make fabulous salsa or fish dishes without cilantro? Way!
feriorrenna at 11:57AM on 12/18/08
way. (party on wayne, party on garth.)
gastronomeg at 12:02PM on 12/18/08
WAY! I cannot imagine a taco without cilantro in it. What a sad, sad taco.
bitchincamero at 12:05PM on 12/18/08
*Way* and I'll join the "former hater" team. I worked at a restaurant about 12 years ago that served a small sprig on top of their chicken wonton soup. I hated it...just the smell alone drove me nuts.
Fast forward several years. I can't remember the dish that flipped me, but it was probably a fresh salsa. I totally dig cilantro now, and even add it to my own chicken soup recipe.
BTW, Perk, I love this *Way* or *No Way* series of yours!!!
Kerosena at 12:06PM on 12/18/08
Hate it.
I order all my dishes w/o cilantro at Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese places, and send dishes back when I see one speck of it because it ruins everything it's touched (just like horseradish, raw onions/garlic). I usually taste it first before I see it, though.
Cassaendra at 12:12PM on 12/18/08
I used to not like it, but now I love it! Especially good in chicken enchiladas, chicken salad, tuna salad, any salad dish. Yummm.
Maryland Crab
Maryland Crab at 12:21PM on 12/18/08
Way!!!
Chick_from_DE at 12:23PM on 12/18/08
NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!! NO WAY!!!
grampart at 12:25PM on 12/18/08
I am more than a little bit in love with cilantro...
Sometimes I suspect my OH is a little jealous, but he will just have to put up with it.
littlestcapy at 12:28PM on 12/18/08
it used to be no way.... then one day, all of a sudden...it's WAY! I love the stuff... now gaucamole and salsa and so much else isn't the same without it.
Alm25 at 1:11PM on 12/18/08
Cilantro......WAY!
Markbb at 1:11PM on 12/18/08
Way? I like it okay, it never bothers me, but I don't LOVE it either.
Also, yeah, Perk, this series here is great.
nightowl at 1:20PM on 12/18/08
Way! Especially in fresh pico de gallo.
Many of the people who have changed their minds cite Mexican food. I wonder if the acid in the tomatoes does something to the enzyme?
akk328 at 1:33PM on 12/18/08
No way! hate it - can't tolerate the smell either, and I always flip when I hear chefs on TV talk about, "how fresh it tastes and smells!"
Strangely, it is the only herb I won't eat. Love all the others.
bareneed at 1:44PM on 12/18/08
Looks like @grampart doesn't care very much for Cilantro. LOL. That made me laugh.
WAY. SUPER WAY. WAY in a BIG way. LOVE the stuff. Certain things would not be the same without cilantro.
Butrflygirly at 2:53PM on 12/18/08
super way
black beans, red onion, bell peppers, edamame, quinoa, CILANTRO, cumin, lime juice...oh sweet crunchy summer!
kitchengeeking at 3:10PM on 12/18/08
@akk328: Yes, it was Mexican food that got me started. No, the acid in the tomatoes does not change the cilantro taste, at least for me. I sometimes wonder whether we don't crave certain regional foods after living a while in that region....
Blue Iris at 3:16PM on 12/18/08
NO FREAKIN' *WAY*.....I'd rather eat soap....it tastes better !!!
onepercent99 at 4:40PM on 12/18/08
Way! I love nibbling on the leaves and stems fresh from the garden. I can't imagine not using it in mexican food, or in my tuna salad sandwiches.
sfgoo at 4:51PM on 12/18/08
You know how most cat's react to catnip? Lets just say that is how cilantro reacts to me. LOVE the stuff.
pjracz10 at 5:10PM on 12/18/08
what's with all you people eating soap?
i love coriander.
it does tend to have the bitter taste that soap has. i think its odd that some of you have grown to like it. i thought coriander way or no way was a genetic tastebud build.
blizcheetah at 6:18PM on 12/18/08
Nononononononononononononononononononono Way! I don't put soap in my food, why would I put something that tastes like it in my food?
thepirateking at 6:22PM on 12/18/08
I am a definite carrier of that enzyme then as every time there is the slightest hint of cilantro in a meal, I start to gag. I love all Mexican food but always take the nasty little herb out if I can (sometimes if it's well mixed and chopped, I can just about tolerate it). I wonder if the same enzyme has anything to do with my repulsion for cucumber and fennel/liquorice/aniseed derivatives?
HappyMuncher at 7:04PM on 12/18/08
Way!
smile at 7:13PM on 12/18/08
Love it, I often use it instead of parsley. Fortunately my spouse loves it too. Can't imagine guacamole or salsa without it!
jinx35 at 7:36PM on 12/18/08
way way way way waaayyyyy i LOVE IT. the more the better. it is so refreshing to me!
hungrygrl7 at 9:18PM on 12/18/08
Before I met my DH 25 years ago, I had never even heard the word cilantro. Knew it as coriander. Then when I first tried it I found it pungent and overpowering. I have to say, it soon grew on me, and in our backyard, and since I have widely expanded my experience of making Mexican recipes for my hub....some dishes just are not right without it. Salsa, Guac, marinated skirt or flank steak for fajitas or tacos (with soft corn tortillas), ceviche, etc..... I now love it.
lamora at 10:11PM on 12/18/08
Ahhh, another great topic from the Perkster. WAY!!! One of my very faves. @sfgoo--I never thought to put it in tuna salad. I am so going to try it next time.
buffy at 10:27PM on 12/18/08
i like cilantro alot, but when i have it the smell gets stuck in my nose for weeks. the first time i had, i made salsa, and i could smell cilantro for a month! but, i would have to say WAY :)
moosiclover93 at 1:10AM on 12/19/08
way!!
the_o at 3:07AM on 12/19/08
WAY! :) My dad hates cilantro but I lovvvve it!
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 3:12PM on 12/19/08
Way - always have some on hand. There are days when I crave it so much that I have to run for a taco on my lunch break
CooksForOne at 10:00PM on 12/19/08
way!
cybercita at 10:09PM on 12/19/08
When I first met cilantro, I didn't really like it. Got tired of asking for tacos with no cilantro, and resigned myself to scraping most of it out. Over time, I removed less and less.
I still think there's such a thing as too much cilantro, just like there's such a thing as too much parsley. I mean, for cripes sakes, they're herbs, not green vegetables.
But now, there are certain dishes that just wouldn't be the same without cilantro.
dbcurrie at 10:32PM on 12/19/08
way! I love how it smells & tastes. It's one of my fave herbs!
www.EatCheapEatWellEatUp.com
AlisonEats at 7:17AM on 12/20/08
it's an acquired taste, I didn't like it, too sweet, but now I love it, in small amounts.
Shelleyanne at 9:51AM on 12/20/08
OK, seems to be a distinct trend of those who couldn't stand it and now eat it. Could it be similar to outgrown allergies? There must be a logical conclusion, since so many have had the same experience.
Anyone care to venture a guess?
PerkyMac at 10:02AM on 12/20/08
No way!
Ugh, whoever said it tastes like soap took the words right out of my mouth. Although, I can eat it in salsa or anything else where the flavor of it can be completely disguised.
cstone at 9:29AM on 12/22/08
WAY! Ok so here's how it happened....
We lived 20 miles from nearest Mexican restaurant. I HATED cilantro.
We'd order burritos if we were headed over to the area, tell them absolutely NO CILANTRO.
We'd always pick up the burritos (in foil) then drive back home.
Open the burritos to eat em and EVERY time...cilantro.
I finally gave up asking them to hold the cilantro...then they STOPPED adding cilantro!
And what happened? Well....I missed it. I REALLY missed it. In fact, I could barely eat the burritos without it.
So we started buying it and having it on hand.
Moral of story....Mom and Dad were right...if you give it a chance...you might end up liking it. Or loving it.
Cilantro or death!
wayfrcilant at 1:40AM on 01/17/09
By the way cilantro is loaded with antioxidants and vit K.
Also, cilantro is the ONLY known ingredient on EARTH that removes toxic aluminum from our bodies.
And I read the other comments after I posted mine....I agree, it's interesting that it's so common for most of us to hate cilantro, then end up loving it.
Hmmm....I'll have to go make a cilantro and cheese taco and think this over.....
wayfrcilant at 1:55AM on 01/17/09
Sorry to post again but I mean...
Cilantro is the only known ingredient that removes MERCURY from our bodies...not aluminum.
wayfrcilant at 1:57AM on 01/17/09
Big time WAY, but I can't even keep in the the house, as the hubby is a HUGE NO WAY! I would eat it by the bunch if I could, but he can't come near me if he even smells it on my breath. :(
InJuneau at 4:15PM on 05/18/09
Way, but it wasn't always so. I think the first time or two I didn't really know what I was eating. Then, one day, a bell went off and I realized I liked it. I really, really liked it. It took a few more months to convince my hubbs, who is now securely on the cilantro wagon.
Stufsocker at 4:33PM on 05/18/09