"I discovered I was part of this genetic minority during a dinner date early in my relationship. My partner had spent hours making this gorgeous Thai curry, complete with fresh herbs from the farmers market. One bite and I was trying not to gag while simultaneously trying to figure out how to politely explain that his masterpiece tasted like he'd forgotten to rinse the bowls."
"Here's what's actually happening in your mouth when you taste cilantro: the herb contains aldehydes, which are the same compounds found in soap. Most people's taste receptors process these aldehydes as fresh and citrusy, but for those of us with a specific genetic variation, our receptors interpret them differently. We're literally tasting the same compounds that make soap smell like soap."
A genetic variation causes cilantro to taste like soap for a subset of people. Personal experience described reacting strongly to a partner's herb-rich dish, revealing membership in that genetic minority. Researchers identified specific genetic variants on chromosome 11 linked to this taste difference. Cilantro contains aldehydes identical to compounds used in soap, and most taste receptors perceive them as fresh or citrusy. A variant in the OR6A2 gene increases sensitivity to these aldehyde chemicals, causing receptors to send a soap-like signal to the brain. The result is a genuine, biologically based aversion to cilantro for affected individuals.
Read at Silicon Canals
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