Cilantro. You may also know it as coriander or Chinese parsley. It can be found in many Fuzzy’s Taco Shop menu items, as well foods all over the world.
But rarely does a food this small, green and unassuming become the center of a global debate. Many cultures revel in its taste, while others, well, they do the opposite of that. There’s even an “I Hate Cilantro” Facebook group and “I Hate Cilantro” blog.
At Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, we’re tolerant of all foods (even if we’re smitten with the Mexican kind), but respect that people like what they like.
People’s feelings about cilantro don’t necessarily depend on their location on the planet. Nay, it’s a bit more primal than that.
The green parts of this plant are what create coriander. Historically, the word “coriander” has some unsavory connotations, which is why people in some parts of the world, Europeans for instance, generally have an aversion to the smell.
Modern-day haters may have flavor chemists (yes, that’s a job) to thank for their distaste. These scientists discovered that the scent of cilantro is produced by a half dozen or so elements, most of which are modified fragments of fat molecules called aldehydes. To some, these aldehydes have an offensive taste. As human beings, we’re wired to associate flavors with past experiences, so if one were to bite into cilantro and taste the aldehydes, the brain could easily confuse it with with something unpleasant.
The only way to disassociate from repulsion to a food is to be continuously subjected to it. (You can try this at Fuzzy’s, if you’re up for it.)
So there you have it folks. Now when someone at your dinner table says, “Yuck! I hate cilantro!” you can be the smartest person in the room and drop this knowledge on them. You’re welcome.
And whether you love or hate cilantro, you can customize your Fuzzy’s order to whatever your preference.
See ya lantro!
