Cilantro is of the most common herbs in the world, but unlike any other, this little leaf
is infamous for it’s polarizing love-it-hate-it reaction among foodies.
It’s kind of like the Benedict Cumberbatch of taco toppings.
Today we’re taking a look at why such a poor, innocent leaf can stoke such vitriol
from the cilantro-phobes among us.
This is Coriandrum sativum, an herb whose leaves we’ve come to know as cilantro, and
whose seeds are used as spice commonly called coriander.
Its love of warm weather lets it grow all over the world, with the largest exporter
being Mexico.
So it’s no wonder you’re going to find it in these.
This little plant also comes from the same family of aromatics as celery and parsley.
But unlike parsley, which is probably one of the most inoffensive plants out there,
cilantro bares the burden of being one of the most divisive herb known to humankind.
Lots of people love its aromatic quality, while others are totally repulsed by it.
Every person has a different taste in food, but this cilantroversy is so distinct in the
population that it has led scientists to ask whether there is an actual physical difference
in cilantro haters.
It’s been estimated that 4-14% of the population can’t stand the taste of cilantro, but here’s
where it gets interesting.
Among that group of haters is a subgroup who literally can’t help but hate it - they
may have a genetic mutation that makes it so.
These folks describe the taste of cilantro as soapy or dirt-like, terms that have a bit
to do with the kind of smell you get from raw fats, bugs, or cosmetics.
And For the rest of us taco lovers, I know this can seem like a huge disgrace, but I’m
here to tell you today not to blame your cilantro hating friend for their poor taste - these
are matters that might rest far out their hands of control.
These haters may be coping with a small change in their DNA called a single-nucleotide polymorphism
or SNP for short.
Cilantro haters tend to have a different version of a SNP in an area of chromosome 11 directly
related to your sense of smell.
This region contains the genes for several odor detectors, and the culprit is thought
to be OR6A2.
The rodent version of this gene is known to bind to a cilantro-abundant group of molecules
called aldehydes, and common mutations in the gene may change the way OR6A2 detects
certain molecules in the aldehyde group, giving people with these genetic changes an altogether
different cilantro-sperience than the rest of us.
Aldehydes are cilantro’s primary odor-causing compounds.
Two compounds in this group, decanal and dodecanal offer an earthy, sweet, green aroma.
But the center of the cilantroversy is found with the (E)-2-Alkenals, which give it that
characteristically “soapy” taste.
That SNP mutation mentioned earlier MAY cause cilantro haters to experience these (E)-2-Alkenals
differently than the rest of us, ultimately making them the dominant flavor of the plant.
But at this point, scientists haven’t discovered the exact mechanism behind this soapy phenomenon.
So when people out there say they hate cilantro, now you know that it might not actually be
their fault.
They may be genetically programmed to taste the stuff of soaps!
What side of the cilantroversy are you on?
Let us know in the comments.
Have any other food related chemistry questions you’re looking to have answer?
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way out and we’ll see you again soon.