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Cilantro: The Controversial Herb

So, why is this ancient, worldly herb so polarizing? There are theories that nature plays a role: Some people may be genetically predisposed to cilantro intolerance. This can manifest itself in an intense aversion to the aroma and flavor of the leaves, and, in rare cases, a physical reaction similar to my student's. For the rest of us, nurture or environment may be a factor. Chances are that if you were raised in a culture where coriander is a kitchen staple, you are a cilantro lover. If you had little exposure, cilantro might take some getting used to. It's worth the effort.

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Featured

 The Great Cilantro Debate

No other flavor can provoke such an intense negative reaction. You can pelt my taste buds with the hottest habanero, the bitterest broccoli rabe, the funkiest Gorgonzola, and I can take it. But slip so much as one sprig of cilantro into my pico de gallo and, ay dios mío, meal over.

 The Health Benefits of Cilantro: Are They Real or Are They a Sham?

This healthy flavor booster is not all it's cracked up to be. The health benefits of cilantro have been inflated for some time, and it isn’t accurate to say that this herb reduces your risk of high blood sugar, cancer, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s without more research. Still, it undoubtedly has some beneficial nutrients, including antioxidants and dodecenal, the antibacterial compound. Enjoy cilantro whenever you see fit, but don’t eat it in excess in the hopes that it will reduce your risk of disease.

Articles of Interest

Cilantro Haters, It’s Not Your Fault

FOOD partisanship doesn’t usually reach the same heights of animosity as the political variety, except in the case of the anti-cilantro party. The green parts of the plant that gives us coriander seeds seem to inspire a primal revulsion among an outspoken minority of eaters. Culinary sophistication is no guarantee of immunity from cilantrophobia. In a television interview in 2002, Larry King asked Julia Child which foods she hated. She responded: “Cilantro and arugula I don’t like at all. They’re both green herbs, they have kind of a dead taste to me.”

Across the Land, People Are Fuming Over an Herb (No, Not That One)

Cilantro lovers say it has a refreshing, lemony or limelike flavor that complements everything from guacamole to curry. It's a key ingredient in a range of ethnic cuisines, including Mexican, Indian and Chinese. But few foods elicit such heated negative reactions. Many people say it tastes soapy, rotten or just plain vile. Just a whiff of it is enough to make them push away their plates. Cilantro, also known as Chinese parsley, is the leaves of the herb coriander, native to the eastern Mediterranean region. Cultivated for more than 3,000 years, the herb was used by Roman and Greek physicians, including Hippocrates, to make medicines. During the Chinese Han dynasty some 2,000 years ago, it was thought to have the power to make people immortal, according to Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs.

Cilantro vs. Coriander: Which Is Better?

From a nutritional standpoint, both coriander and cilantro offer similar benefits. Animal and test tube studies show that cilantro and coriander effectively fight infections, reduce inflammation, balance blood sugar, and benefit heart health.1, 2, 3, 4 Both cilantro and coriander possess antimicrobial properties. Animal and in vitro studies have shown they can help combat bacterial infections. Coriander seeds contain essential oils like linalool and pinene, which have been found to inhibit the growth of various pathogens.

Cilantro – A Potent Herb

Generally speaking, most fresh green herbs are great for skin health because they are packed with nutrients, but cilantro is one of my favorites for skin health and more. Cilantro is particularly good at regulating blood sugar. Because it keeps your system operating on an even keel, cilantro is helpful in avoiding the inevitable breakouts that result from blood-sugar spikes. This makes it a great potent herb for diabetics and acne sufferers.

Coriander, Cilantro, Chinese Parsley...

It's one of the few food plants of which every part is eaten. The sharp, lemony-tasting green leaf is used mostly in the same fashion as parsley (of whose botanic family, Apiaceae, it is a member), chopped and sprinkled over food just before serving. Like all green herbs, heat changes its flavor, and it is rarely cooked for more than a few moments.

Hate cilantro or anchovies? Evolutionary science could explain why.

Some people aren’t chocolate lovers. Others can't stand the texture of fish. We asked experts to explain why some feel so strongly about foods other people love.

The herb linked to reduced inflammation, lower anxiety, and reduced blood sugar

Cilantro is a polarizing herb. People either love it or hate it. For many, a sprig of cilantro can add much-needed flavor to a salad or in homemade guacamole. For others with a certain gene, it just tastes like soap.

The Naturopathic Kitchen: Cilantro 101

Cilantro originated in the Mediterranean and Western Asian regions, though “Chinese parsley” can be found around the world in many windowsill herb gardens. The plant is formally known as coriandrum sativum. The leafy greens are referred to as cilantro and the seeds are called coriander, each offering a wealth of health benefits and different flavors.

Resources

7 Health Benefits of Cilantro

A genetic variant—a permanent change to your DNA—may make you highly sensitive to the smell of aldehydes. This compound is found in cilantro. Smell and taste are closely linked, so this genetic variant can make the fresh, citrusy herb taste like soap or dirt

2 RDs Break Down the Impressive Health Benefits of Cilantro

So, if you're lucky enough to have the ability to taste the satisfying flavors that cilantro offers (and you don't taste soap suds when you bite into a sprig), feel free to enjoy it on your favorite recipes and know that you are doing something good for yourself when you take a bite.

Dr. Earth

Cilantro leaves and coriander seeds both packed with beneficial phytonutrients. Animal research shows promising health benefits for humans. Regularly eating coriander may reduce bad cholesterol levels (the LDL form), control blood sugar by stimulating insulin production in pancreatic cells and reduce cellular damage by free radicals. Coriander contributes fiber that promotes healthy digestion and nutrient extraction from foods.