By Siddarth Suresh

Every friend group seems to have at least one food debate that never really goes away. Sometimes it starts with something small, like someone mentioning cilantro in a dish. Within seconds, the reactions are completely different. One person says it adds a fresh, bright flavor, while someone else insists it tastes like soap. What seems like a simple herb suddenly becomes a surprisingly serious argument.

What makes cilantro especially interesting is that the disagreement is not only about preference. Researchers have found that some people experience its flavor differently because of genetics. A variation in the OR6A2 can make people more sensitive to certain chemical compounds in cilantro that resemble the smell of soap. Because of this, around 10 percent of people report that cilantro tastes soapy or unpleasant according to the DNA-testing company 23andMe. In fact, IA sophomore Melek D. (10) noted, “Eating cilantro tastes just as disgusting as when I eat raw garlic.” In other words, two people eating the same food may genuinely taste something different.

Cilantro may be the most famous example, but it is far from the only food that divides people. Olives tend to create similar reactions. Some people enjoy their strong, salty flavor and see them as a natural addition to salads, pasta, or pizza. Many others find the taste overwhelming and will immediately remove them from a dish. It is one of those ingredients that rarely produces a neutral reaction.

Another long-running debate centers around pineapple on pizza. The combination of sweet pineapple and savory pizza toppings has sparked arguments for years. Per Reddit peer forum r/Pizza discourse, some people enjoy the contrast of flavors, while others believe fruit simply does not belong on pizza. A 2023 YouGov survey shows that pineapples are actually America’s sixth-favorite pizza topping, even though it remains controversial among many pizza fans. IA junior Medhya Sivaganesh (11) echoed this sentiment and said “Honestly, having pineapple on my pizza really just adds another level of complexity to what I’m eating. The sweet of the pineapple when combined with the savory of the meat on the pizza tastes really good.”

Part of the reason these debates continue is that taste is influenced by more than just biology. Culture, family traditions, and the foods people grow up eating all shape how flavors are perceived. Something that feels completely normal in one household might seem unusual to someone encountering it for the first time. Because of this, reactions to certain foods can vary widely.

In the end, the so-called cilantro wars are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. People will continue to disagree about olives, pineapple on pizza, and plenty of other foods as well. However, these debates also highlight how differently people experience the same meal. Even if no one ever wins the argument, at least it makes conversations around the table, whether at home or in the Hangar, a little more interesting.