topic Re: Basil Versus Cilantro... in Recipes

Basil Versus Cilantro...

LavernLuvsShoes — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:08:05 GMT

I've recently eaten dishes that contained fresh Basil, and I understand it's one of the "popular" herbs, I just can't stomach it - Pun intended

However, I absolutely love Cilantro, although I know a lot of people say it tastes like soap.

Soooo, my question is: Do you prefer one over the other, or perhaps you enjoy both?

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

Love my grandkids — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:11:01 GMT

@LavernLuvsShoes I do like basil. I cannot stand or stomach cilantro. I spent my first 61 years in So. Cal. and ate truckloads of Mexican food but always had to order it with "NO cilantro".

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

mom2four0418 — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:12:49 GMT

I am Italian and we never cook with oregano, but do use lots of fresh basil. I will pass on the cilantro.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

PA Mom-mom — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:14:26 GMT

@LavernLuvsShoes I LOVE Basil, and cilantro turns my stomach. I don't mind the flavor so much, but it used to make me feel kind of sick. What I did to fix that is eat lots of food containing cilantro whenever I could. I am now able to tolerate it without feeling sick. Still not my favorite. I remember hearing that Julia Child said she thought cilantro tasted like soap! Yikes!

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

WRXtoo — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:20:14 GMT

HUGE cilantro fan, hated it as a kid then somewhere along the line it became a favorite. I like basil too, but a little goes a long way for me.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

05gage25 — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:22:10 GMT

I use basil in tomato dishes, mostly Italian. Love a good Caprese salad with fresh basil. But I also enjoy cilantro in my Mexican dishes, especially fresh salsa!!😋

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

Icegoddess — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:24:52 GMT

I'm in the Hate Cilantro camp.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

skatting44 — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:30:09 GMT

I love both herbs !

I use many herbs when preparing meals , tarragon , rosemary, thyme, fennel seed ,

Thai basil

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

Etoile308 — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:33:58 GMT

Don't know how true this is, but I've heard approximately 10% of the population is allergic to cilantro. I just know for me it causes automatic retching. Not pretty.

Absolutly love basil and always have some growing.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

moonandthestars — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:34:53 GMT

Funny story - a few years ago I signed up for that 23 and me genetic testing. Every once in a while they send updates based on my testing and one of them was that based on my genetics I am (something like) 90% likely to hate cilantro!!! And it's very true - I do!

What a funny thing to test for (and be able to)

So far no news from them on basil

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

deepwaterdotter — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:34:56 GMT

I'm not a big fan of either herb. Basil has more of a licorice flavor than is my liking, and cilantro's flavor is too soapy-tasting for me. I will include basil in dishes where other ingredients can lessen the licorice flavor.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

RedTop — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:40:46 GMT

Yes to basil. In this house, the guinea pigs are the only lovers of cilantro; they are by cilantro as cats are to catnip.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

proudlyfromNJ — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 19:52:26 GMT

I like all herbs and spices. I especially love cilantro. Husband hates it and we have to order separate guacamole plates when we eat out.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

Q4u — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 20:11:57 GMT

Isn't this an interesting thread! I like both herbs but hands down Cilantro....

I remember eating something a long time ago and went "wow" whatever that flavor is, I love it! Turned out to be Cilantro and I've been hooked ever since.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

DiAnne — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 21:05:00 GMT

I grew up in So Cal eating Mexican food so I am very used to cilantro and like it. My favorite fresh herb is tarragon but I love to add fresh basil or fresh mint into salads. I don't understand the comparison between cilantro and basil - I don't think they taste anything alike.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

LavernLuvsShoes — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 21:14:27 GMT

@DiAnne wrote:
... I don't understand the comparison between cilantro and basil - I don't think they taste anything alike.

I agree, DiAnne - There is no comparison...

This thread simply asks "Between the two of them, which herb do you prefer?"

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

SoCal Bred — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 21:52:04 GMT

I prefer cilantro over basil, grew up in So Cal as well, I buy fresh cilantro almost weekly and add it on top to almost everything, I think it enhances the flavor especially in soups.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

gizmogal — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 22:01:15 GMT

Perceiving that cilantro tastes like soap is genetic.

https://www.britannica.com/story/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap-to-some-people

I must be endowed with that gene. I can't eat cilantro. Ugh.

Basil- yep, I like it.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

nomar — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 22:11:19 GMT

Love cilantro, but husand hates it. I like basil also. Husband hates it too. He has simple tastes. Have both growiing in pots and get enough basil to make pesto to freeze, but cannot keep cilantro growing very long. We used to have Vietnamese neighbors and they grew and cooked with cilantro a lot. Lots of wonderful food brought to us from them. I never learned their secret for keeping such a crop of cilantro growing.

Re: Basil Versus Cilantro...

Linda0215 — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 22:57:52 GMT

I am in the hate Cilantro camp as well. I had my AncestryDNA done and it too pointed out that I might have an aversion to it. Weird. Now Basil on the other hand, I just love. The aroma reminds me of my Aunt Millie's kitchen growing up as a kid.