International I Hate Coriander Day is celebrated on February 24 each year and is a chance for haters of this herb to unite and have a good old coriander bashing session with the kindred spirits they can find. If the existence of coriander haters baffles you, there is even some research being done that suggests that hatred for coriander can actually be genetic. And before you judge, bear in mind that there is probably some food out there that really rubs your taste buds the wrong way. So read on to know more about why this little green garnish may not be so welcome atop some people’s dishes.
History of I Hate Coriander Day
International I Hate Coriander Day originated in 2013, with the inception of a Facebook group entitled simply ‘I Hate Coriander.’ The sole purpose of creating the group was so that like-minded people could get together and express their utter disdain for the herb through messages and posts of all sorts. And before you laugh it off as an insignificant group, note that the number of members on it has risen to a following of more than 200,000. Such was the popularity of the group that there is even ‘I Hate Coriander’ merchandise being sold on the group. It also just goes to show that if you’re enterprising enough, money can be made from any endeavor on social media which attracts enough people.
Apparently, over 10% of the world hates coriander because it tastes like soap to them, according to members of the group, and some scientific research leads us to believe that this could be caused by a particular gene, called OR6A2, which affects the olfactory receptors. The study was conducted in 2012, with a sample size of 50,000 people, by a genetic testing company called 23andMe. Interestingly enough, the majority of people who hate coriander are of European ethnicity, and the very name comes from the Greek word ‘koris’ meaning ‘stink bug.’ Therefore, the main plea of the group is that restaurants state very clearly on their menus if any of their dishes contain coriander. The group has threatened to publicly shame any eating joints which ignore this request. Such is the shared hatred of this herb that it has garnered the name ‘the devil’s herb’, and it may just be the most hated single ingredient on earth.
I Hate Coriander Day timeline
Due to Biblical references, the existence of coriander is known, and vestiges of coriander seeds are discovered.
Romans bury their dead with coriander seeds to help disguise the smell of decay.
Coriander is shipped to the British Colonies of North America and becomes one of the first herbs to be cultivated there by settlers.
The official group for ‘corianderphobes,’ called ‘I Hate Coriander,’ is formed on Facebook.
I Hate Coriander Day FAQs
Why do Americans call coriander ‘cilantro’?
Cilantro and coriander come from the plant species — Coriandrum sativum. In North America, cilantro refers to the leaves and stalks of the plant. The word ‘cilantro’ is the Spanish name for coriander leaves. Meanwhile, the dried seeds of the plant are called coriander.
Why is coriander bad for some people?
Coriander can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms of such reactions can include asthma, nasal swelling, hives, or swelling inside the mouth. These reactions appear to be most common in people who work with spices in the food industry.
What percentage of the world hates coriander?
The prevalence of dislike ranged from 3% to 21%. The proportion of subjects classified as disliking cilantro was 21% for East Asians, 17% for Caucasians, 14% for those of African descent, 7% for South Asians, 4% for Hispanics, and 3% for Middle Eastern subjects.
I Hate Coriander Day Activities
Take to Twitter
Or any other social media platform which you find preferable. On this day, you are bound to find the hashtag #IHateCoriander trending somewhere or the other, so join in the virtual conversation by creating coriander-bashing memes or snide snippets of your own.
Join the movement
Though hating on coriander does feel a bit extreme, the purpose of the ‘I Hate Coriander’ group makes sense. There are so many kinds of food allergies and aversions, and now that research shows that it is a gene that can control how coriander tastes to some, menus should mention whether the dish contains this herb or not. If they can do it for nuts and gluten, they can do it for coriander too.
Avoid coriander
It does not hurt to show a bit of solidarity by avoiding any dishes containing coriander on this day. If you absolutely need that pop of green as a garnish on your food or some similar flavoring agent, then parsley is a great alternative to cook/garnish with.
5 Common Herbs/Spices That People Are Averse To
Mustard
People with tree nut allergies are especially susceptible to mustard seed allergies as well.
Celery
This is linked to birch and mugwort pollen allergies, especially when consumed raw.
Caraway
Caraway seeds may cause skin rashes, and 26% of people allergic to celery are hypersensitive to caraway too.
Parsley
For people suffering from allergic rhinitis to pollen, parsley may also trigger food allergy reactions.
Coriander
Coriander seeds in particular can also cause hives or asthma for some, genes aside.
Why We Love I Hate Coriander Day
It spreads awareness
Now that you know that an aversion to coriander is not choice-based but actually genetic, it’s a good idea to spread awareness about this, so that ‘corianderphobes’ do not get flak for hating the herb so much.
It brings people together
The fact that there is an official group or platform for people to hate coriander is great news for those who have always hated the herb but have not found others like them.
We can show solidarity
Though in the light of the global population, the number of coriander-averse people may seem small, their voice needs to be heard too. Restaurants should be transparent about certain ingredients which their dishes may contain, so that is a cause one can get behind.
I Hate Coriander Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 24 | Monday |
| 2026 | February 24 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | February 24 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | February 24 | Thursday |
| 2029 | February 24 | Saturday |
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