If you find that cilantro tastes like soap, it is likely due to a specific genetic mutation in your olfactory receptors.

noli's read

This claim is based on well-documented research in sensory genetics. Studies, including a genome-wide association study (GWAS) published by the company 23andMe, have identified a specific variant in the OR6A2 gene, which codes for an olfactory receptor sensitive to aldehydes, the chemical compounds responsible for the aroma of cilantro. This mutation effectively explains why some individuals perceive these compounds as soapy rather than herbaceous. It is, however, important to note that genetics do not dictate everything: cultural exposure and dietary habits also play a major role in the appreciation of a food. The figure of 1 in 5 is an observational estimate that may vary depending on the populations studied. The explanation is scientifically robust and serves as an excellent example of interindividual biological variation in sensory perception.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.