Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with cilantro

What is that smell in High Line Park in NYC?

Jimmie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:13:28 -0800

What is that smell in High Line Park in NYC? There is a relatively new odor in the air around High Line Park. It is sharp and pungent, smells vaguely of cilantro. Other passersby have also noticed the aroma, many of which have stopped to locate, but nobody can. Any thoughts?

What to do with recaito (cilantro/culantro/recao paste)

k. — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:03:02 -0800

What can I cook with this Puerto Rican (?) recaito, aka "cilantro cooking base"? It's a paste made of cilantro,* onion, garlic, green pepper, and salt. (unfortunately it's kind of salty, and may also have MSG). I have a whole jar of it.

*I can't tell if it's made from cilantro, or from something similar to cilantro called culantro, or both. One of these is also called "recao" and gives recaito its name, but I don't know which. I hope someone can enlighten me on this!

How to acquire a taste for cilantro?

rwhe — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:18:06 -0800

Ever hate cilantro, then acquire a taste for it? I'm a cilantro hater. I keep reading about people who used to hate cilantro, then learned to tolerate or even love it. However, it's also been suggested (based on twin studies, and so on) that there's a genetic basis for hating it. Puzzling.

So... I'm in the tryouts for the other team. If you used to hate cilantro, but then acquired a taste for it, please tell me how you did it -- the more relevant details, the better. No rants, please; I can supply my own.

It would be so nice not to live in fear when I visit Thai and Mexican restaurants.

Why don't I like cilantro?

Hypharse — Wed, 14 Apr 2004 15:01:22 -0800

I can't eat anything cilantro has touched, even if it's only a few flakes. In contrast, my friends' reactions to it are extremely positive, and they've described its taste as "bright" and "fresh," and it's commonly included in dishes in my area. I don't think it's just a food preference; I'm a big kid and will eat things I do not enjoy if they're given to me or if I'm hungry. The difference with cilantro is that it makes any food, no matter how much I like it, taste like it's been poisoned, and no amount of willpower can overcome that. Does anybody else find cilantro inedible, or know why it would cause such a strong reaction?