There are few things more disappointing than ordering a delicious meal, taking that first eagerly anticipated bite, and immediately discovering that somebody has decided to cover it in what tastes like washing-up liquid.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!For some people, coriander is a fresh, flavourful herb that adds the perfect finishing touch to a dish.
For others, it’s an absolute culinary nightmare that has somehow managed to infiltrate practically every cuisine on the planet.
And if you happen to fall into the second category, you’ll be delighted to discover that you’re far from alone.
In fact, more than 330,000 people have apparently decided that their shared hatred of coriander is so strong that it deserves its very own online community.
The Facebook group, appropriately named ‘I Hate Coriander‘, has become a gathering place for people who simply cannot understand why the controversial herb continues to appear in their food.
And judging by the content shared among its members, this isn’t some mild disagreement over personal taste.
These people really, really hate coriander.
For anyone unfamiliar with the debate, coriander is a leafy herb commonly used in dishes from around the world, including Indian, Mexican, Chinese and Italian cuisine.
It’s also known as cilantro in the United States and dhania in India, while British diners generally refer to the leaves and stalks as coriander.
Whatever you choose to call it, the reaction it provokes can be remarkably divisive.
Some people happily pile it onto their food, apparently convinced that its distinctive flavour makes everything taste better.
Others find that even the smallest amount can completely overpower an otherwise enjoyable meal, leaving behind an unpleasant taste reminiscent of soap.
And unfortunately for those who cannot stand it, coriander has a habit of appearing in places where it is least welcome.
You could be halfway through a curry, enjoying a burrito or tucking into a perfectly good sandwich when that unmistakable flavour suddenly makes itself known.
One moment you’re enjoying your lunch.
The next you’re wondering why your food tastes like somebody has accidentally introduced it to the kitchen cleaning supplies.
It’s the sort of experience that can turn an otherwise excellent meal into an exercise in carefully removing tiny green leaves from every mouthful.
And while coriander lovers might struggle to understand the outrage, the members of ‘I Hate Coriander’ have clearly found plenty of common ground.
The Facebook community has attracted more than 330,000 people who have united over their mutual dislike of the herb.
Rather than simply avoiding coriander whenever possible, members have taken their opposition to an entirely different level.
The group features memes mocking the ingredient, pictures of people expressing their disapproval and even tattoos declaring their hatred of coriander.
Some members have gone as far as getting the words “F**k Coriander” permanently inked onto their bodies.
Which is certainly one way of making sure a restaurant understands your dietary preferences.
Others have shared photographs of themselves giving the herb the middle finger, demonstrating that their feelings towards the innocent-looking leaves are anything but affectionate.
And then there are the memes.
Because apparently, nothing brings people together quite like collectively complaining about an ingredient that keeps ruining their dinner.
What makes the group particularly amusing is just how seriously some people appear to take their dislike.
For many diners, avoiding coriander has become something of a routine whenever they eat out.
Before ordering, there’s the familiar question that every coriander hater has probably asked at least once. “Is there coriander in that?”
It’s a perfectly reasonable enquiry when you’re trying to avoid a flavour you genuinely dislike.
But given how widely the herb is used, finding a dish completely free of it can sometimes feel like an unnecessarily difficult task.
And the frustration becomes even greater when coriander appears as an unexpected garnish.
After all, there’s something particularly irritating about discovering that a meal you were looking forward to has been finished with a generous scattering of the one ingredient you specifically wanted to avoid.
For coriander enthusiasts, of course, the entire controversy might seem completely ridiculous.
They see a versatile herb that complements countless dishes and adds a distinctive freshness to their food.
But for the people who associate its flavour with soap, that explanation is unlikely to change anything.
And that’s precisely what makes the Facebook group so entertaining.
It’s not simply a place for people to discuss an unpopular ingredient.
It’s a community built around the shared experience of ordering something delicious, spotting a few suspicious green leaves and immediately knowing that disappointment is on the way.
Whether members are sharing sarcastic memes, showing off their tattoos or simply expressing their frustration, the message remains remarkably consistent.
They would very much appreciate it if people stopped putting coriander in everything.
Featured image credit: Facebook
