POLL: Cilantro: Love It, Hate It, Don't Know, Don't Care?

[Huskee]

Yesterday my wife was making guacamole and it was her best version yet. Second only to FireMan's wife Sara's which was truly the best I'd ever had. Anyway, she puts cilantro in it, which I love. I found myself picking up sprigs of the leftover cilantro and just eating them. Love it!

My mom hates it. My son is on the fence. Some people report it tastes like soap to them, but to me it's fresh and bright, like a sunny day, almost citrusy. It adds a sparkle of life to everything it's in (within reason).

What say you?

[Panhead John]

Not only is it required in a taco, it’s also great in a pot of pinto beans! 😍

[bbqLuv]

I you put it in Coor's Light will that make it a Mexican Lager?

[barelfly]

It’s fine and does the job it’s supposed to do in the things I make with it. Salsa and chimichurri mostly, or with a few leafs dropped on as a topping for various tacos. My wife enjoys cilantro and despises Italian Parsley for the same reason many don’t like cilantro, she thinks it tastes like soap.

But cilantro does add that bright, fresh lemon kick to what you are making with it.

[Panhead John]

I’m with your wife, I like cilantro but hate parsley.

[Richard Chrz]

I love parsley, i personally think parsley shines with a preferred acidity, and salt,

[Mosca]

I used to HATE it. I used to think it tasted like soap.

Now I love it! I use about a bunch a week. That’s for just myself, Mary Joan won’t touch it.

Google says it is common for people to become acclimated to its taste.

[Huskee]

Each time I try it I try to sense any soapy-ness, but I just can't. Interesting that those who get it can lose it. I know you can acclimate to a lot of things that are gross at first, coffee and whiskey for me when I was younger, but this is the first time I've heard of cilantro being one. Cool stuff.

[Mosca]

I keep trying with seafood, even after 70 years. I’m to the point where if the world ended except for fish, I could eat it. It tastes okay, I don’t have to spit it out. But it’s nowhere near steak, chicken, pork, lamb, etc.

I’d probably eat fish before I’d eat most venison, because most venison in the northeast is pretty gamey.

[Maxriptin]

I worked in the produce department in my teens and hated cilantro and celery. Not because of the taste, but the smell that would just stick to your skin. Both of those smells hung around on my hands for so long. I avoided cilantro for a long time because of that. But I have come around. I do like it but I rarely use it when I make anything for others. I feel like people either love it or their hatred for it is ravenous.

[texastweeter]

Love the stuff!

[Spinaker]

I love the stuff. Fresh, clean and it makes a taco just right. It off sets the heat perfectly.

[dpearce]

I like it in most recipes I've tried that calls for it. Definitely need to get it fresh, though. I've pulled some out of the fridge, maybe a week old? Not that great, and definitely a difference in flavor. I'm finding this more and more with vegies, zests, spices, and sauces as I cook more and try different recipes.

[Lynn Dollar]

I began growing it in my garden a few years ago because fresh garden cilantro has far better flavor than grocery store.

However it doesn't like warm temps, like above 80* it then bolts and goes to seed. And does it ever go to seed, I now have it coming up volunteer everywhere , in my garden , flower beds, where ever a seed can go. But on the positive side, its a good companion plant for tomatoes, which is what I grow primarily.

It does winter well here, however, we have fresh cilantro all winter long. Its winter hardy, can handle temps down to zero.

A cilantro fact, most cilantro in USA is grown in San Diego area, right on the coast, where ocean currents keep the temps at a steady 70 somewhat degrees, year round.

[Donw]

When I first got into aquaculture eons ago I had about 20 empty pots and the only seeds available at the store after growing season was a packet of cilantro so I thought why not, it’s just a test of my setup away. That stuff took to the growing medium and took off like a rocket. I was soon awash in cilantro. Finally pulled the plants and switched to something else. However out of that environment I am a serial killer of cilantro. Every cilantro I have planted dies an agonizing death. 🙂

[Mister C]

I agree it's annoying when it bolts, I just started pinching the tips off during the warm weather to get some more life out of them. At the same time the seeds from a fresh plant are superb though, so fragrant and amazing when dried and ground. Totally different taste to the green leaves.

Dried Coriander/cilantro is used a lot in eastern cooking, and personally I love it sprinkled on freshly seared red meat.

[Dan Deter]

We don't use much cilantro because my wife is one of those people to whom it tastes like soap. I'm good with it, although recently I've started to notice that taste a little. So we put it where its required, but if its optional usually leave it out.

[Michael_in_TX]

I am sneaky. I love cilantro. (Part of which is that it gives me a reason to say it like Steven Raichlen does. If you know, you know.)

Now, my wife hates it. What to do?

Easy....I "substitute" coriander sometimes when it doesn't need to be fresh.

[Michael_in_TX]

Relatedly, I wish I could grow it in the garden. But it's like an avocado...it's "shelf life" is like ten seconds! I've even tried the variety that is slow-to-bolt, and it is better, but it's still pretty quick.

[Mister C]

I wonder if you grew it in shade and pinched the ends could you keep it from bolting? I had some success with that in VA, but down where you are the heat might be too much. Then again just a bit further south of you they grow it like crazy, so....

[JeffJ]

I like it but don’t love it. Wasn’t quite given that as an option so I’m clarifying.

[Huskee]

I overlooked an option, sorry

[Lynn Dollar]

Part of my current cilantro crop. This grew over the winter and then bolted in early April. I'm waiting for it to completely go to seed till I tear it out. I have other cilantro thats just now sprouted, but won't make it through the summer.

[Andrrr]

I really feel bad for the people that think it tastes like soap because it’s so good and adds so much to certain dishes.