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Scientists have proven that certain people possess the genetic predisposition to be able to taste cilantro in its true form. They say that the people who taste "soap" lack the taste buds that others possess. This may be true, but as a professional chef I have come to understand that it's more simple than that. I have made many meals that featured a good amount of cilantro, feeding people who hate the ingredient, and I didn't necessarily make them love it, but they enjoyed it and weren't bothered by it as much as they had been in the past.

Don't think of cilantro like other ingredients. Chicken, strawberries, pork, potato, etc. are very versatile ingredients that are easy to prepare. Cilantro is simply less versatile and requires advanced culinary techniques in order to harness great flavor. Cilantro, like hot chiles, is a very unique ingredient that, if not utilized correctly, can be overwhelming and unenjoyable on most palates. However, it can add a ton of flavor when used fresh in appropriate ratios, chopped properly so as to not bruise the leaves and release too much of the oils, and when it's incorporated with ingredients that naturally pair well, such as tomato, onion, chile, oil, salt, and avocado to name a few.

Try not to wash cilantro; if it is sandy, just wipe it off since water will wash away the natural flavor. However, this may be unavoidable in some supermarkets where it can be covered with dirt. Ninety percent of the plant is grown for its seed (coriander) and not for its leaves. I grow my own "Cilantro Santo" in my home and it's perfect. This variety is different from the rest in that it produces more leaves and better flavor. Another huge factor that can spoil the flavor of cilantro is the type of fertilizer used. Too much nitrogen will give an unpleasant taste to the herb. Too much humidity and heat in the growth stage will also damage the flavor. Hope this changed some of your minds.

P.S. - Mexican fare has closer ties to Carribean and Asian cuisine than it does with Indian.

you're not going to believe this - I like cilantro but the real fan in the house is my kitten. She is absolutely nuts over it :)

This is a paradox; yes it does taste soapy, but I still like it! I guess to my palate, it comes across as a very 'clean' flavor and balances the intensity of Mexican and Thai cuisine.

Cilantro is awesome. Makes my fishball soup broth taste like wow!

I love cilantro. They put it on Vietnamese sandwiches instead of lettuce. Would have thunk it.

A tacqueria near me brings out a bowl of onions and cilantro when they bring out the chips and salsa. I grab it between my fingers and put it on the chips with or without the salsa. Delicious.

@Amandarama, I had the same experience as you. I used to dislike it, but grew to like it after discovering Thai food.

At first I didn't like cilantro, but then I grew to like it over time. I totally understand about how someone could find it to taste "soapy" - I did at first, but then it stopped tasting like that to me and took on a more herbal quality that I now enjoy. This makes me wonder what changed: the way the plant is grown (since the herb is now much more prevalent in grocery stores and on menus) or me? I like to believe I'm just not that picky of an eater and my open mindedness eventually won out over the (originally) unfamiliar flavor.

Viva Cilantro!

"Some people instead perceive an unpleasant "soapy" taste and/or a rank smell. This is believed to be a result of an enzyme that changes the way they taste coriander leaves, a genetic trait, but has yet to be fully researched."

lol

You'll notice that very few people in the countries that use the most cilantro hate it: http://www.ihatecilantro.com/map.php. And heck, there's only 1 person in all of Montana and 1 person in all of Wyoming that hate cilantro.

While this movement doesn't seem to threaten my future meals at the moment I'm going to start a cilantro seed bank just in case. If you have any rare, heirloom varieties of cilantro you want protected against potential impending doom send me some seeds. Cilantro lovers unite before its too late!

It's cubed potatoes with sour cream with ranch dressing and cheddar cheese baked.

I love many vegetable, but I find roasted potatoes with herbs and olive oil to be a very satisying comfort food.