But unlike any other, this little leaf is infamous for its polarizing love-it-hate-it reaction among foodies.

但跟其他香草不同，這片小葉子可是引起了吃貨們非常兩極的反應。

It's kind of like the Benedict Cumberbatch of taco toppings.

有點像墨西哥塔可配料界的班奈狄克．康柏拜區。

Today, we're taking a look at why such a poor, innocent leaf can stoke such vitriol from the cilantro-phobes among us.

今天我們要來探討這可憐又無辜的葉子何以激起香菜恐懼者如此辛辣的批評。

This is Coriandrum sativum, an herb whose leaves we've come to know as cilantro, and whose seeds are used as a spice commonly called coriander.

這是芫荽，它的葉子普遍被稱為香菜，而它的種子則是常被使用、被稱為胡荽的香料。

Its love of warm weather lets it grow all over the world, with the largest exporter being Mexico.

喜歡溫暖氣候的的特性使香菜遍佈世界各地，其中最大出口國是墨西哥。

So, it's no wonder you're going to find it on these.

難怪你會在這道料理中看到它。

This little plant also comes from the same family of aromatics as celery and parsley.

這株小植物跟芹菜和荷蘭芹一樣屬於「芳香植物」。

But unlike parsley, which is probably one of the most inoffensive plants out there, cilantro bears the burden of being one of the most divisive herbs known to humankind.

但跟世上最無侵略性的荷蘭芹不同，香菜背負著一個罪名：它是最容易引起人類爭議的香草之一。

Lots of people love its aromatic quality, while others are totally repulsed by it.

許多人喜愛它的香氣，但同時也有許多人對這種味道反感。

Now, every person has a different taste in food.

每個人對食物口味的看法本來就不同。

But this "cilantroversy" is so distinct in the population that it has led scientists to ask whether there is an actual physical difference in cilantro haters.

但這「香菜之爭」已經特別到讓科學家想了解，不喜香菜者的身體構造是否任何差異。

It's been estimated that 4-14% of the population can't stand the taste of cilantro.

據估計，有百分之 4 到 14 的人無法忍受香菜的味道。

But here's where it gets interesting.

但有趣的事來了。

Among that group of haters is a subgroup who literally can't help but hate it.

在那群討厭香菜的人之中，有一個不得不恨香菜的子群體。

They may have a genetic mutation that makes it so.

而這可能是某種基因突變所致。

These folks describe the taste of cilantro as soapy or dirt-like, terms that have a bit to do with the kind of smell you get from raw fats, bugs, or cosmetics.

這些人形容香菜的味道像肥皂或泥土，還用了其他與生脂肪、蟲子或化妝品味道有所關聯的字眼。

And for the rest of us taco lovers, I know it can seem like a huge disgrace.

對我們這些喜歡墨西哥塔可的人來說，這聽起來好像是天大的侮辱。

But I'm here to tell you today not to blame your cilantro hating friend for their poor taste.

但我今天想告訴你：別責備你那些沒有品味、討厭香菜的朋友。

These are matters that might rest far outside their hands of control.

這些可能是他們完全無法控制的問題。

These haters may be coping with a small change in their DNA, called a single-nucleotide polymorphism, or SNP for short.

討厭香菜者的 DNA 可能有個小小變異，稱為基因單核苷酸多態性（簡稱 SNP）。

Cilantro haters tend to have a different version of a SNP in an area of chromosome 11 directly related to your sense of smell.

第 11 對染色體跟嗅覺有關，而討厭香菜者在這對染色體區域的 SNP 通常會有所不同。

This region contains the genes for several odor detectors, and the culprit is thought to be OR6A2.

這個區域包含數個感知氣味的基因，而讓人討厭香菜的罪魁禍首就是 OR6A2。

The rodent version of this gene is known to bind to a cilantro-abundant group of molecules called aldehydes.

齧齒類的 OR6A2 通常會跟具強烈香菜味、稱為醛類的分子結合。

And common mutations in the gene may change the way OR6A2 detects certain molecules in the aldehyde group, giving people with these genetic changes an altogether different cilantro experience than the rest of us.

而常見的變異可能改變 OR6A2 偵測特定醛類分子的方式，讓有這種基因變化的人對香菜有跟我們有截然不同的體驗。

Aldehydes are cilantro's primary odor-causing compounds.

醛類是香菜產生味道的主要化合物。

Two compounds in this group, decanal and dodecanal, offer an earthy, sweet, green aroma.

其中癸醛和十二碳醛這兩個化合物會散發出土味、甜味及草味。

But the center of the cilantroversy is found with the (E)-2-Alkenals, which give it that characteristically "soapy" taste.

但造成香菜之爭的主因來自 (E)-2-十碳烯醛，是它賦予香菜那種特有的「肥皂味」。

That SNP mutation mentioned earlier may cause cilantro haters to experience these (E)-2-Alkenals differently than the rest of us, ultimately making them the dominant flavor of the plant.

前面提到的 SNP 突變可能讓那些討厭香菜的人對 (E)-2-十碳烯醛有完全不同的感受，讓香菜吃起來只有肥皂味。

But at this point, scientists still haven't discovered the exact mechanism behind this soapy phenomenon.

但截至目前為止，科學家尚未發現這種「肥皂現象」的機制。

So, when people out there say they hate cilantro, now you know that it might not actually be their fault.

所以說，當有人說他討厭香菜時，你就知道那可能不完全是他們的錯。

They may be genetically programmed to taste the stuff of soap!

他們可能生來就只能吃出香菜裡的肥皂味吧！

What side of the cilantroversy are you on?

你站在香菜之爭的哪一邊呢？

Let us know down in the comments.

在下方留言讓我們知道吧。

And don't forget to hit thumbs up and subscribe on the way out.

登出前別忘了點個讚並訂閱頻道。

We'll see you again soon.

我們很快會再見。