I Hate Coriander Day
I Hate Coriander Day, also called International I Hate Coriander Day, is a fun food-themed observance celebrated every year on February 24. This day is dedicated to people who can’t stand coriander come together to laugh, share memes, trade no-coriander recipes, and bond over a real reason.
Did you know that this herb genuinely tastes soapy to some people thanks to how their smell receptors work?
How This Day Started
The 'I Hate Coriander' movement is widely linked to a Facebook community who goes by the same name. Many people gathered here specifically to vent (dramatically, of course) about coriander ruining meals. That group later began promoting February 24 as an official day for coriander-haters to rally online.
The facebook page currently has over 3 Lakh followers.
Science Behind Coriander Tasting Soapy to Some
A well-known 2012 genetics study found an association between perceiving a soapy smell/taste and a variant near a cluster of olfactory receptor genes, including OR6A2, which is good at detecting aldehydes- compounds that are prominent in coriander’s aroma.
How to Celebrate and Hate Coriander on This Day
Declare a 'no-coriander zone' meal
Cook or order something that usually arrives sprinkled with coriander and request it without. Bonus points if it’s a cuisine where coriander is common and you successfully dodge it.
Create a coriander-free swap list
Useful substitutions if you want the fresh green finish without the soapy taste of course:
- Flat-leaf parsley (closest visual + fresh herb feel)
- Chives (milder, oniony lift)
- Mint (fresh, bold and works well in chutneys/raitas)
- Basil (great in salads and pasta-style flavor profiles)
Note: If you've ever wondered the difference between coriander and cilantro, they are both from the same plant: Coriandrum sativum.
In many places, cilantro = leaves/stems, whereas coriander = dried seeds.
This day is funny on the surface, but it lands because it’s relatable: taste is personal, biology is weird, and coriander is… a lot.
So whether you’re team 'fresh and zesty' or team 'why is my salsa lavender soap,' February 24 is your excuse to laugh, swap recipes, and ask for clearer ingredient labels- no drama required!
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