Why do some people think cilantro tastes like soap?

A genetic variation in smell receptors

What is herbes de Provence?

A dried herb blend from southern France

What are fines herbes?

A French blend of parsley, chives, tarragon and chervil

Herbs Knowledge Quiz – Test the Details

Some people find cilantro tastes like soap because of a variation in their genes, and this herbs knowledge quiz explores the leafy plants that flavor food worldwide. Learn about Thai and Italian basil, mint's many relatives, rosemary's Mediterranean roots, the herbes de Provence blend and herb gardens from monasteries to kitchen windows.

Start Herbs Knowledge Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Cilantro
Why do some people think cilantro tastes like soap?
Names
What is cilantro called in Britain?
Basil
Which basil is common in Thai cooking?
Mint
Which plant family includes mint, basil and rosemary?
Provence
What is herbes de Provence?
Dill
Which herb is common in Scandinavian salmon dishes?
Tarragon
Which herb flavors béarnaise sauce?
Fines
What are fines herbes?
Monastery
Why did medieval monasteries grow herbs?
Fresh
When should delicate herbs like basil be added?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Why do some people think cilantro tastes like soap?
Answer: A genetic variation in smell receptors
It is often linked to the OR6A2 gene.
Q2: What is cilantro called in Britain?
Answer: Coriander
Its seeds are also called coriander.
Q3: Which basil is common in Thai cooking?
Answer: Thai basil
It has anise notes.
Q4: Which plant family includes mint, basil and rosemary?
Answer: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Many have square stems.
Q5: What is herbes de Provence?
Answer: A dried herb blend from southern France
It often includes thyme and savory.
Q6: Which herb is common in Scandinavian salmon dishes?
Answer: Dill
Gravlax uses it.
Q7: Which herb flavors béarnaise sauce?
Answer: Tarragon
French tarragon is preferred.
Q8: What are fines herbes?
Answer: A French blend of parsley, chives, tarragon and chervil
They are used fresh.
Q9: Why did medieval monasteries grow herbs?
Answer: For medicine and cooking
Physic gardens were common.
Q10: When should delicate herbs like basil be added?
Answer: At the end of cooking
Heat dulls their aroma.

Herbs Knowledge Quiz – Leaves That Transform a Dish

Herbs are the leaves of aromatic plants used to flavor food. Many belong to the mint family, including basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano and sage, while parsley, cilantro and dill belong to the carrot family.

Herbs shape cuisines around the world. Thai basil flavors curries, Genovese basil makes pesto, dill pairs with Scandinavian salmon and tarragon flavors French béarnaise. Blends like herbes de Provence and fines herbes define French cooking.

Some people find cilantro soapy because of genetic differences in smell receptors. Medieval monasteries grew herbs for medicine and cooking, and today kitchen gardens and windowsills keep herbs fresh. Delicate herbs are best added at the end of cooking.

What This Quiz Teaches

Home cooks and gardeners will enjoy these questions.

Why cilantro tastes like soap
Which family includes mint
What herbes de Provence is
Which herbs suit which dishes
When to add herbs

Did You Know?

Chives are related to onions.
Lemon balm is a mint relative.
Lovage tastes like celery.
Shiso is popular in Japan.
Bay leaves come from laurel trees.