Who likes cilantro?

[KateW]

I for one cannot stand cilantro, I can smell it a mile away and it makes my stomach turn. My mom on the other hand loves it. I was just wondering what you all think...

[mudbug]

KateW,

I think you may need to add some more options:

Learned to like it later in life

Growing on me over time

I think I fall into those categories. I used to have the same opinion as you did...

[Kimmie]

Hubby and myself just love it!

[KateW]

Good idea, cchiu. I hadn't thought of that!
Edit: Hmm, I can't seem to edit the poll. Sorry...if your opinion isn't on the list, please tell me how you do feel about this odd little herb...hehe....
I can certainly understand not liking something at first and then growing into it. But no matter how many times I try to sample cilantro, even in tiny nibbles, I still hate it!

[monkeymay]

I love cilantro. It's shiso I can't stand. Stuff makes me gag.

[chiffonade]

Cilantro strikes me as something you either love or hate, with very few falling in the "neutral" zone. Some people are terribly allergic to it - and suffer from symptoms like ferocious headaches if even the smallest trace is consumed. I love cilantro and feel it gives a fresh flavor to Mexican foods - or any food with a southwest slant.

[KateW]

What is shiso?
I went to Chili's once recently and asked for no cilantro on their chicken tacos. The waitress said Oh, are you allergic? That was the first time I had heard of someone being allergic. I said No, I just can't stand it!

[mudbug]

KateW,

Some information on Shiso for you here. Shiso is a mint-like herb which is traditionally used as part of sushi presentation. It is hard to find in the west and is often replaced with bits of green serrated plastic.

[Mezzaluna]

I fall into the "used to hate it, now I love it" category. When I go to Chili's, I ask for extra cilentro on my fajita salad! I used to think it tasted like herby soap.

[Jock]

Can't stand the stuff!!! I love Mexican food but when Cilantro shows up I have to skip it. When I see it in a recipe I substitute Italian parsley.

Jock

[chiffonade]

Originally posted by Mezzaluna
I used to think it tasted like herby soap.

I knew a girl who felt that way about fresh ginger!

[KateW]

I think cilantro tastes like soap too, but this is not a good thing in my opinion
Thanks for the info on shiso. I don't think i've ever had it...

[GSquared]

There has been suggestions that one is genetically predisposed to like or dislike cilantro......
Down here, and in most of Europe, b.t.w., you will look in vain for cilantro. Ask for coriander leaves.

[monkeymay]

I don't know how I could eat without it. It's such an important flavor in so many ethnic dishes - I couldn't imagine making pico de gallo without cilantro. And then there's all the Asian dishes - steamed fish with scallions and cilantro, Thai and Vietnamese noodle dishes, Indian food with dosas and curries...the list goes on...

cchiu - at the sushi bars where I've eaten, shiso is often used as an integral part of the dish. I have had it as a chiffonade on top of sashimi- (which I can sort of handle) but sometimes it gets tucked into a handroll and then it's overpowering (to me).
There's a bar I go to - 15 seats- you eat what the chef presents to you - and I love it so much but I have to carefully watch what he's making so I don't get the dreaded leaf and end up gagging and embarrasing myself (and showing disrespect to him!)

Monkey

[Waz]

I have a Thai cookbook written by a former Peace Corp volunteer that spent time there. He writes in the intro that the first thing he learned to say in Thai was "Hold the cilantro." They use it a LOT. He said six months later he was saying "Extra cilantro please."

It was an aquired taste for me too. Now I love the stuff!