Some of this distaste for cilantro could be due to personal preference, but for those who find the plant to taste like soap, the problem is probably genetic. Cilantro contains aldehyde chemicals, which are also found in soap. These chemicals are responsible for giving this polarizing herb its soapy smell and taste. That said, not everyone has the olfactory ability to detect those chemicals. In fact, there’s one specific gene that has to be present for you to pick up the scent and taste of cilantro’s aldehydes. Several studies have found that you must have the genetic variant OR6A2 to taste and smell soap when eating cilantro.