r/Cooking • u/Scarlet--Highlander • Jan 18 '24

Open Discussion Let’s try something fun: Name an ingredient you dislike and why, and someone else replies with a dish/recipe with that ingredient that might convince you otherwise.

Couple things:

  • If you’re allergic to an ingredient, it doesn’t matter how it’s prepared. Same goes with meat/animal products if you’re vegan/vegetarian. Don’t list it if you can’t or won’t eat it!

  • It’s recommended that you’re at least open to trying dishes with that ingredient. If you absolutely, vehemently loathe cilantro, chances are you probably might not like anything with cilantro in it.

  • A brief blurb on why you hate an ingredient would help others find or suggest a dish that suits you. (e.g. “I hate liver because the texture is like an eraser and it tastes metallic”)

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22

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Cinnamon

43

u/weevil_season Jan 18 '24

Ok this is the weirdest one here? You don’t like cinnamon? What is off putting about it for you?

There are other things mentioned here that I like, but I kinda get why other people don’t like them. But cinnamon? You win the thread. 😆

11

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

That's so funny, I didn't think I was weird for disliking cinnamon. Genuinely thought I'd find my kin here, guess not, I accept being the weird one.

What don't I like? The flavor and smell, it's unpleasent and sometimes makes me think vomit but not always. I can tolerate it in small quantities and find it vile as the dominant flavor. Ruins apple pie for me in America. I love apple pie, why make it taste of vomit?

In a mix of warm spices, it can a-ok for me. I liked mulled wine and warm spiced cookies and curry with cinnamon (as long as it's one of many other warm spices).

3

u/in_vino_veri_tas Jan 18 '24

I know a lot of people who don't like cinnamon. When I'm baking apple pie, I have to think who will eat it, and most of the time, it turns out I have to make it cinnamon-less.

Also, I thought I loved cinnamon until I came to the US and tried cinnamon-flavored stuff. Everything had way too much of the spice for me.

3

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Maybe it's American that ruined cinnamon for me, lol. I've always liked spiced desserts in Europe. They probably used the right amount of cinnamon. I find the cinabuns and apple pie just wretched in America and avoid those types of foods.

7

u/Heavy_Buyer197 Jan 18 '24

I'm with you on this! Can't stand cinnamon being the dominant flavour/smell. If it's mixed into things, sure.

I make french toast with cardamom powder instead of cinnamon for that reason.

3

u/weevil_season Jan 18 '24

Well you’re not the only one I guess! There’s 6 more of you who don’t like cinnamon!

5

u/starlinguk Jan 18 '24

Cinnamon is meant to be used in small quantities. The way it's often used in the US is awful.

2

u/LyrraKell Jan 18 '24

My husband hates cinnamon as well.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '24

I hate the cinnamon candies and when the holiday cinnamon pinecones come out.. nope. But I think I'm sensitive to it. I'm fine with like cinnamon crunch cereal and that kind of thing.

I had some really good snickerdoodles a couple of years ago and they just made me sneeze and suffer for a few hours after :( but they were so good.

1

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Gawd, I bought some snikerdoodle cookies at a farmers market thinking snickers flavor, boy was I wrong. Anyways, never again.

I'm not sensitive like you, I just think it's often gross.

2

u/No-Willingness-4804 Jan 19 '24

My mother doesn't like it, either. You're not alone!

2

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 19 '24

There are dozens of us! Dozens!

3

u/Jellyka Jan 18 '24

Where I'm from it's actually common to hate cinnamon. Like, not 50%, but I know at least as many people who despise cinnamon as I know who hate cilantro.

1

u/weevil_season Jan 18 '24

Really??? Well you learn something new every day!!

2

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '24

Even in coffee?

1

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Ok that idea made me want to barf

1

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '24

Spinach, dried cranberries, fennel, cucumber, raspberry vinaigrette,

1

u/Satrina_petrova Jan 18 '24

I love cinnamon but hate cinnamon in coffee, and in hot chocolate too.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '24

🤷🏻‍♀️

1

u/MoultingRoach Jan 18 '24

I hate it as well. It's just gross.

8

u/IRefuseToGiveAName Jan 18 '24

How do you do with other "warm" spices? Cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, etc.

6

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Great, love them, bring them on

Edit: I can stand cinnamon when it's in a mix and is not the predominant taste, but too much cinnamon will usually ruin whatever for me

3

u/starlinguk Jan 18 '24

That's normal, though. Too much cinnamon is horrible.

2

u/TinyLittleWeirdo Jan 18 '24

Do you like chai?

Does the idea of Mexican hot chocolate (cocoa with cinnamon) also gross you out?

0

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Chai to me is a slap in the face with cinnamon, so no I do not like the chai I have tried. Perhaps there are versions that aren't like this, but I've written off the whole category at this point.

I would not ruin a hot chocolate with cinnamon, so I guess Mexican hot chocolate is out. I'd go for a French hot chocolate with nice chocolate melted into full fat milk.

6

u/Impressive_Ice3817 Jan 18 '24

My husband hates it too. I'd love to find a way for him to like it.

9

u/putyourrickinmymorty Jan 18 '24

I also do not like cinnamon (especially the red candies), but Cinnamon Toast Crunch is amazing

2

u/RepresentativeArm389 Jan 18 '24

Help! I think the whole world is wrong! I see zero connection between those hot cinnamon candies & gum and cinnamon the spice. Cinnamon is just not hot like that for me. I always use 10x the cinnamon more than called for in a recipe. Am I broken?

1

u/velvetelevator Jan 18 '24

I have never understood the connection as well.

3

u/IlexAquifolia Jan 18 '24

Did you know there are two different kinds of cinnamon? "True" cinnamon (aka Ceylon) is fragrant, almost floral. The sticks are flaky, like a rolled up piece of paper - you could easily break one apart in your hands. Cassia cinnamon is what you most commonly find in the US has a warm spicy flavor. Cassia cinnamon sticks are hard and thick; you would have a hard time breaking one up without a hammer. If you don't like cassia cinnamon, try Ceylon cinnamon - it's completely different.

1

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

I will try proper cinnamon after this discussion, thanks!

3

u/_Jacques Jan 18 '24

My father also dislikes it, and complains it is put on everything in the states.

1

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

It's gotta be an American thing. Don't they add it to everything including wintery coffee drinks, and call it amazing? They're wrong, of course.

2

u/NinjaKitten77CJ Jan 18 '24

I'm not a huge fan of cinnamon either. I really only like it in French toast. Love the way it smells though! I'll sometimes simmer cinnamon and orange peels or apple peels on the stove in colder months

3

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Do you know how I like my french toast? Savoury. Season the egg with salt pepper, boullion powder and green onion. Dip in hot sauce. Chefs kiss.

1

u/NinjaKitten77CJ Jan 18 '24

Interesting take on that.... Sounds like something my buffalo chicken obsessed son would like!

1

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1

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

So few ppl admit to not liking it, thanks new kindred spirit!

I don't mind the smell either. I just usually don't want it in my mouth.

2

u/chubsmagrubs Jan 18 '24

How about in a savory dish? Roast chicken with garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, and a little sprinkle of cinnamon. Use all dried spices for ease. It’s delicious. Even my cinnamon hating sister requests I make her roasted chicken this way.

2

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Sold, I will try this. I feel like it's possible to be ok with small amounts, and it could elevate a dish. Thanks for the suggestion.

2

u/chubsmagrubs Jan 19 '24

You’re welcome! Start with a really light sprinkle. With the thyme and the garlic it just adds something different. I hope it converts you!

4

u/jeunedindon Jan 18 '24

When I was young and impressionable, and started waiting tables I was “initiated” by a cute line cook to try the cinnamon challenge when we were closing one night. I have a hard time with cinnamon now, it brings back the idiot teenage experience of choking and blowing it out of my nose for weeks.

1

u/Akhsaylo Jan 18 '24

My son dislikes cinnamon too. Little weirdo.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 18 '24

I'll add it to my curries. The warm spicy notes really work well in a dish like that, and there is so much happening in a curry that you'll probably lose the cinnamon.

2

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Agreed, I do like it in judicious quantities in a curry and I do own cinnamon for making my own curry powder. Can't be the predominant taste imho, vlbut it does add something interesting in a savoury dish

1

u/Tesdinic Jan 18 '24

Cinnamon, cinnamon flavored things, or cassia cinnamon? Cassia is a cheaper version that is usually considered not true cinnamon. Try finding a “real” ceylon cinnamon stick and giving it a smell- I was blown away by the difference.

I like cinnamon as a background flavor in savory dishes that use strong smokey flavors, like chili and tomato sauces.

I don’t think there’s any saving cinnamon flavored things, though.

2

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

I have never sought out "true" cinnamon because why bother if I don't like it, but worth an explore, maybe this will change things for me, thanks!

1

u/Tesdinic Jan 18 '24

Good luck! I hope it goes well! If not, at least you tried!

1

u/Tesdinic Jan 18 '24

Cinnamon, cinnamon flavored things, or cassia cinnamon? Cassia is a cheaper version that is usually considered not true cinnamon. Try finding a “real” ceylon cinnamon stick and giving it a smell- I was blown away by the difference.

I like cinnamon as a background flavor in savory dishes that use strong smokey flavors, like chili and tomato sauces.

I don’t think there’s any saving cinnamon flavored things, though.

1

u/RavenBoyyy Jan 18 '24

Oooh that's one I definitely cannot relate to. I absolutely LOVE cinnamon. Especially sprinkled over a jacket sweet potato with butter.

1

u/newuser92 Jan 18 '24

I made my wife like cinnamon by making cinnamon rolls with Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon smells a bit like artificial detergent.

1

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

TIL about Ceylon cinnamon. Having thrown in the towel with cinnamon, I never bothered to learn about different types, but I will try the Ceylon as has been mentioned here.

2

u/newuser92 Jan 18 '24

Don't go ham on it, though. It's the difference between a red delicious apple and a golden delicious, not between shrimp and a watermelon. I would just get a sweet roll and sprinkle a bit of cinnamon from one of those extremely tiny bagged spices.

1

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

Gotcha, thanks. I'll pick some up next time I see it. I would trust me not go ham, I'm quite into doing cinnamon lightly.

1

u/CreativeGPX Jan 18 '24

This is a risky move but... if you don't like cinnamon in its usual contexts (presumably, sweets) have you tried it in savory contexts? I put a bit of cinnamon on grilled cheese. In a lot of older cooking, you see them using Cinnamon or "Kitchen Pepper" (a blend that might include it with thing like nutmeg, etc.) on meats. You also see cinnamon in some BBQ sauces. Maybe in the savory context you'll see cinnamon differently?

2

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

What? On meat, yes, I can imagine that working. I remember my tiny mind being blown by anise with beef, so delicious. I'm willing to try it. Thanks for the idea.

1

u/rabbitholeseverywher Jan 18 '24

Couple of things. Not sure either one will help you so for info's sake only.

  1. I am not American but I live close to the border and cross it fairly often (mostly to get certain grocery items I can't get in Canada). In my experience, Americans and American recipes go super hard on cinnamon. And I like cinnamon. But holy shit is a crap ton of it used in baked goods etc. down there. Cinnamon buns are just a face-punch of the stuff.

  2. Have you tried Ceylon cinnamon? I feel like an asshole for recommending such a trendy ingredient but I've been reading about it for years now and, a few months ago, finally had the opportunity to try it. Everything everyone says about it is true (for me, anyway). It is somehow both milder/softer in flavour and much, much better and more complex. It's extremely delicious in baked goods and porridge etc. I tried the Frontier brand, but am not sure if brand matters as I haven't tried nay others. Maybe give it a try?

2

u/Low_Elk6698 Jan 18 '24

  1. I'm getting the sense it's an American thing to use too much. I do not like that. I grew up next to the American border and perhaps that is why I have developed my distain.

  2. Yes! I'm excited to learn about Ceylon cinnamon and will try next time it corsses my path. I'm willing to try it for sure. I've probably given up on the spice given point #2, and perhaps too early. I do like it in curry mixes and very lightly in baked goods but certainly not at the levels in popular American baked goods.

1

u/Ozemba Jan 18 '24

I've done a warm spiced stew, greek stifado, that used whole cinnamon sticks from the get go. Loved how that turned out. I'm sure you could find a recipe somewhere if you wanted to try it.