Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site opus.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ucbvax!ucdavis!lll-crg!gymble!umcp-cs!seismo!hao!nbires!opus!rcd
From: rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn)
Newsgroups: net.cooks
Subject: Re: Cilantro vs. soap (again)
Message-ID: <156@opus.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 24-Oct-85 03:39:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: opus.156
Posted: Thu Oct 24 03:39:46 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 26-Oct-85 07:41:43 EDT
References: <330@aoa.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: NBI,Inc, Boulder CO
Lines: 20

> Months ago there was a discussion on the merits of the spice cilantro
> (a.k.a. coriander leaves, chinese parsley).  Some (myself included) said
> it was wonderful.  Others said it tastes like soap...
> ...Eventually I found that Wilson Farms in Lexington carries it occasionally.
> They bring it in from Calif.  The first bunch I bought smelled and tasted
> right, but I was busy and didn't use it right away.  Within about 3 days,
> it didn't have much taste at all.  What taste there was reminded me vaguely
> of (surprise!) soap!...
> ...So that's the answer.  It must be fresh!...

Disagree.  I have smelled it just about as fresh as it comes, namely before
it's even been picked, in one of our herb planters.  Friends and I agree
that it smells very much like soap, as far as that analogy is valid.  (It's
soapy along with a variety of other aromas and tastes.)

Use the usual criteria for judging fresh herbs--nothing turning yellow or
looking bruised or elderly.
-- 
Dick Dunn	{hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd		(303)444-5710 x3086
   ...At last it's the real thing...or close enough to pretend.