Different people have different tastes when it comes to the same food. Take cilantro as an example - personally, I think it's delicious, so I find it surprising when I hear someone say they don't like cilantro. So why do some people not like cilantro? Let's find out together!
Cilantro
Cilantro, scientifically known as Coriandrum sativum, is a plant belonging to the Umbelliferae family in the Coriandrum genus, according to the "Flora of China".
Cilantro is native to the Mediterranean region, ranging from southern Europe to northern Africa and southwestern Asia.
The Latin name of the Coriandrum genus originated from ancient Greek, which is said to refer to a local bug with an indescribable odor.
Naming a plant called cilantro after a bug with a certain unpleasant smell may indicate that there have always been many people in human society who strongly oppose and resist cilantro.
Main Uses and Values of Cilantro
The most commonly consumed part of cilantro is its tender leaves. However, the whole plant has a unique fragrance, especially the strongly scented seeds, which are often used as a spice for seasoning.
The seeds of cilantro contain about 20% oil, which can be used to extract aromatic oil. In medieval Europe, coriander essential oil was used to treat women's menstrual irregularities.
Is Cilantro Fragrant or Stinky?
Cilantro leaves and seed essential oil contain cineole and various aldehyde compounds, which are the main components of cilantro's aroma and flavor.
However, whether cilantro's distinctive flavor is a pleasant fragrance or a detestable stench, human society has never stopped debating and struggling since it appeared on our dinner tables.
People who like cilantro like to add a bit of its flavor to everything they eat, while those who dislike it find that cilantro smells like soap.
Some even say that eating cilantro is like chewing on a bug, and hearing the word cilantro alone can make some people feel nauseous.
Researchers in the United States have conducted investigations and studies, and they have found and claimed that cilantro haters and normal eaters have different genes.
This study suggests that the olfactory receptor gene "OR6A2" on human chromosome 11 can affect our sense of smell, and cilantro haters may belong to a small group formed by a certain gene mutation.
This gene mutation makes them unusually sensitive to the aldehyde compounds that give cilantro its distinctive aroma, leading to their aversion to cilantro.
