Can a Gene Cause Cilantro To Taste Like Soap?

Freshly cut herbs can brighten up every recipe and add a burst of flavor to any dish. But for some people, one common herb can produce a distinctly negative reaction: cilantro.

Family medicine specialist Neha Vyas, MD, says cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is one of the most polarizing herbs used in modern cooking. Why? Because to some people, cilantro tastes like soap — and there’s a scientific reason for it.

Why does cilantro taste like soap to some people?

If you can’t stand the taste of cilantro, your genes may be to blame. You likely have a specific gene called OR6A2 that makes you super-sensitive to a component of this herb — and, yes, can make it taste like soap.

“Those who dislike cilantro tend to have this gene, which detects the aldehyde part of cilantro as a soapy smell and taste,” Dr. Vyas explains.

Aldehydes are organic materials with a distinct chemical structure. The pairing of a carbon atom with an oxygen atom leaves room for two more bonds. If one of those bonds is with a hydrogen atom, it’s called an aldehyde; if neither of the bonds is with hydrogen, it becomes a ketone.

It’s OK if you can’t quite follow that science. The gist is this: It’s a very small molecular difference that has big implications for your sense of smell. This gene can cause you to perceive the scent of cilantro as soapy — and the way things smell influences the way they taste.

“Researchers suspect that a dislike for cilantro is largely driven by the way it smells,” Dr. Vyas says.

How many people does this affect?

Most people don’t have the OR6A2 gene — and to them, cilantro tastes pretty normal. But one study found that anywhere from 3% to 21% of people can’t stand cilantro. Women were slightly more likely than men to perceive a soapy taste.

The same study showed that people of Black, Latino, East Asian and South Asian descent were much less likely to detect a soapy taste than people of European descent. Some of that may be due to cultural influence, as many global cuisines — including Thai, Mexican and Indian — use cilantro as a staple ingredient in everyday dishes.

Can you overcome it?

The way cilantro smells and tastes to you may be based on your genes. But there’s an important catch.

“Unlike other fixed genetic traits, like eye or hair color, your cilantro preference can be changed by environmental factors,” Dr. Vyas says.

That’s right. Over time, your brain can actually overcome its genetic predisposition toward disliking cilantro.

Having good experiences with cilantro can eventually change your brain’s perception of it. For example, sharing a joyful meal with loved ones may allow you to update or change your negative associations with the herb.

“One day, you might flip from not liking it at all to really loving it,” she says.

Alternatives to cilantro

Want to try to persuade your brain to like cilantro? Start enjoying some meals with friends and family using this helpful food prep trick: “Some people say that crushing cilantro leaves before using them helps diminish the soapy taste,” Dr. Vyas suggests.

But it’s also OK if you can’t be convinced. These cilantro alternatives may be more up your alley:

• Dill
• Flat-leaf parsley
• Oregano
• Papalo
• Pipicha
• Thai basil (horapha)
• Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Next time you’re grocery shopping, pick up one of these flavorsome substitutes — or consider giving cilantro another try. With time, you might just come to love it!