Fresh coriander, you like?

[Blub2k]

I have spoken to a few people here and most people look at me funny when I tell them that I hate fresh Coriander as it tastes like someone has left washing up liquid on the dishes when I eat it. Does anyone else here dislike coriander because of its soapy taste or is it really just me?

[funnelhead]

i like it, long as there isnt a bush of it. Tastes......metallic

[BoB_DoG]

i think its really good, especially with fishies

[floppybootstomp]

It does have to be fresh. If the leaves are wilting, it can taste a bit weird. used sparingly, I like it chopped very finely and sprinkled on a Curry occasionally.

Having said that, haven't bought any for a few years at least. And there's loads of Asian shops selling the stuff round here.

Washing up liquid? Well, that's a new metaphor

[Blub2k]

I had a look about online and it turns out that I am not alone, there are hundreds of references in google to coriander tasting like soap and it appears it could be genetic as to whether you like it or not and it also appears that there is very little middle ground with people thinking that it is ok, they either love it or hate it.

[Nick]

Yep, you're right there. Too much coriander and you'll kill the dish. Usually the strongest flavours come from the stalks and stems of the plant, so if you use those you're asking for it to tasts just like Fairy Liquid. In my time I've seen many a chef blend up the entire bunch, stalks and all and then nearly gag on his finished result. Coriander is fine if used in strong flavoured dishes such as currys, as the spices compliment the flavour of the coriander. Used a garnish (sprinkled over the top) it should be the finely chopped leaves only. I wouldn't used it in a dish where you haven't got strong flavours. For something like a Thai curry, using a lot is fine as it goes in very early on and the coriander gets a good chance to cook out, this removes that 'soapy' taste.

That's the problem with using fresh herbs... they can be very potent and easily ruin a dish. Even basil, which I love, can kill a dish if you add too much at the end. Much as I love it's floral, earthy aroma and flavour, I want to taste the wild mushrooms in my risotto, so I only use a little. And don't even go there with tarragon.. that baby is so strong it'd make the even longest hung pheasant taste of nothing but aniseed if you use too much!

[Nick]

I hate fresh Coriander as it tastes like someone has left washing up liquid on the dishes when I eat it.

You're not gonna believe this, but in my demos I actually tell people exactly that! Too much and it'll taste like you've got Fairy Liquid in there!

btw. Posted a recipe today using your favourite herb!

[Blub2k]

Is it possible then Deckard that I have had a "doing" with a bad dish that was total overkill? I mean I know I can eat it in things but once I taste the fresh leaf I nearly gag.

[Nick]

It could well be that you've either become sensitive to the taste, or cos you know there's coriander in there, you're expecting it to taste foul. I think you've probably had a run in with someone over doing it with the green stuff... I readily agree that too much of it and you can't get the flavour out of your mouth, which can be totally off putting. I had the same thing for pepperoni years ago... the smell of it would make me want to throw.

[Blub2k]

It's actually a pretty new herb to me as when I was cooking and working in the industry ( in a Gault-Millau 4* rated hotel) we never used coriander and it is something I only noticed after leaving gastronomy, I dont know how I missed it, maybe the Germans dont like it. i worked as a waiter in that place, began to cook later.