Cilantro, the green leaves and stems of the Coriandrum sativum  plant, is one of the most interesting and divisive ingredients in the culinary world. While some people enjoy its fresh, citrusy flavor, others find it unpleasant with an unmistakable soapy smell. This is not just a matter of preference; according to published data, betwee n 3% and 21% of the   population  is genetically predisposed to perceive  cilantro as soapy (Clinic, 2025) . Figure 1. A bowl of cilantro read