664110 Mon Nov 02 10:07:16 -0800 2009 11 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 5149267 The taste of cilantro only bothers me slightly, if it is in fairly large quantities, and especially if it is served raw (like in a salad, or as a garnish). A small to moderate amount chopped into salsa doesn't bother me at all, but I know other people for whom mixing even a small amount into salsa ruins the whole dish, even if they don't know it's in there before eating it. I'm wondering if there are things to do to it and/or with it that reduce the unpleasant taste for those who are more sensitive to the flavor than I am. Can it be toasted, braised, wilted, marinated, pickled, etc. to reduce the "soapy" flavor? Mon Nov 02 10:07:16 -0800 2009 57890 KaimukiMan 1 5149836 As you'll know, coriander leaf is usually used fresh and, almost invariably, added to a dish right at the end. Of course, that's to ensure the full flavour. I'm sure that cooking it in any of the ways you suggest will reduce the pungency - in some cases probably to near enough zero taste. Mon Nov 02 12:57:03 -0800 2009 5149267 154102 Harters 1 5149853 One suggestion to using cilantro minus the "soapy taste" is to use it dried. I use both; fresh is better and is mandatory in salsas and most mexican style cooking. I use fresh in cooking as well, but keep the dried for just in case & am in a bind. That said, you can try it and see if it works for you. Mon Nov 02 13:00:48 -0800 2009 5149267 1108638 Cherylptw 2 5152937 Dried cilantro has so little flavor that to me it's a complete waste of money. Ditto dried basil. Some herbs just aren't meant to be used dry. Tue Nov 03 13:30:32 -0800 2009 5149853 14386 BobB 1 5150678 This seems odd I know, but it is a genetic thing. About 10% of the population perceive cilantro to taste like soap or even metal. I dont have this, but I am a chef and there is always one waitress on staff who will not sample stuff with cilantro. She told me of this condition, and I doubted her but looked it up online (seemingly reliable source) and it appears nothing you can do will help.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123446387388578461.html Mon Nov 02 17:24:34 -0800 2009 5149267 168703 uwebres 1 5152866 I don't have that cilantro sensitivity, so I'm not speaking from experience here, but I just read on Carol Blymire's blog (http://www.alineaathome.com/ - she DOES have that sensitivity) that she "steamed the cilantro for 30 seconds (a trick I learned from a chef friend), it didn't taste like soap or make the whole bite taste like soap." So you might try that. Tue Nov 03 13:09:49 -0800 2009 5149267 199621 cookie44 2 5152898 But does it still taste ... like cilantro? I mean, the whole point of using cilantro is its unique flavor. There's no point in using it if you're going to change or reduce the taste -- you might was well use parsley. Tue Nov 03 13:20:16 -0800 2009 5152866 10159 Ruth Lafler 3 5152913 Sorry I don't know since I didn't try it - just read about it. Since I like cilantro as is, I would not have any reason to try this. To some, however, it just tastes like soap. Tue Nov 03 13:25:11 -0800 2009 5152898 199621 cookie44 4 5153416 I know -- my dad is one of the unfortunate soap tasters. However, that's what it tastes like; if you don't want your dish to taste like cilantro, don't use it! If people don't like it, they should avoid it, just as they would any other food they dislike. Tue Nov 03 15:59:43 -0800 2009 5152913 10159 Ruth Lafler 5 5155336 If you get "the rest" of the flavor of cilantro but get rid of the "soapiness" what is the problem? It still tastes like cilantro without the nasty side effect. As I said in my original post, I only have a slight affection of the soapiness, and i don't notice it at all in cooked foods. If steaming it slightly breaks down whatever causes that, but leaves the primary flavor essentially intact, sounds like a win-win to me. And since cilantro and parsley have quite different flavors, it is certainly preferable to subbing parsley. Wed Nov 04 10:11:41 -0800 2009 5153416 57890 KaimukiMan 6 5155567 It doesn't seem likely to me that any kind of "treatment" would take out *just* the soapiness. Wed Nov 04 11:16:00 -0800 2009 5155336 10159 Ruth Lafler 4 5155596 Well, it tastes like soap to me but I like it anyway! I think it's less obtrusive when it's paired with sharp and spicy ingredients, as in a good lively pico de gallo, but the cilantro-haters I know won't tolerate it anyway anyhow. The only hard part for me is knowing who they are in advance: I prepared an elaborate Vietnamese feast for a friend's surprise birthday dinner, including some spring rolls I was particularly proud of; she took one bite and said, "GAAK! CILANTRO!!" and refused to eat any more of anything. Wed Nov 04 11:25:20 -0800 2009 5152913 11478 Will Owen