in

Coriander – Popular Kitchen Herb

Coriander is available as a spice and fresh herb. The spice is the dried seeds of the coriander plant. The annual plant belongs to the umbelliferae family and can grow up to 90 centimeters tall. The fresh herb has fine pinnate leaves reminiscent of chervil or parsley.

Origin

In ancient Greece and the ancient Romans, coriander was used as a spice and medicinal. Originally, the spice probably comes from the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Season

Harvest time for the seeds begins in mid-July and ends in early September.

Taste

The dried seeds taste aromatic, slightly sweet, and have a subtle citrus note. The fresh leaves taste sour, hot, slightly peppery, and fresh.

Use

The sweet-aromatic seeds are used whole, either cooked or ground. They refine soups – try our spinach cream soup -, meat, fish, stews, but also sweet desserts and pastries. The grains are particularly aromatic when they are briefly roasted.
The fresh herb is particularly popular in Asia and Latin America, but also in the Levant cuisine (eastern Mediterranean region). There, for example, coriander is often used to garnish baba ganoush (an eggplant paste). It flavors salads, curries, soups, and wok dishes. Cooked or dried, the herb loses its aroma. Therefore, always sprinkle over the food just before serving.

Storage/shelf life

Dried cilantro will keep for about 6 months in a dry, airtight container. Fresh coriander should be used as soon as possible. The tender leaves stay crunchy for about 1-2 days in the refrigerator, packed airtight.

Is coriander same as cilantro?

Both cilantro and coriander come from the Coriandrum sativum plant. In the US, cilantro is the name for the plant’s leaves and stem, while coriander is the name for its dried seeds. Internationally, the leaves and stems are called coriander, while its dried seeds are called coriander seeds.

What does coriander taste like?

What Does Coriander Taste Like? Floral and citrusy, coriander is a very fresh-tasting spice. Its mildly sweet, lemony flavor is often harnessed in conjunction with other spices in savory recipes; you’ll often see cumin and coriander paired together.

What is coriander called in India?

In India, the herb is referred to as “dhania” to distinguish the leaves from the coriander seeds.

Is coriander a herb or a spice?

Coriander, (Coriandrum sativum), also called cilantro or Chinese parsley, feathery annual plant of the parsley family (Apiaceae), parts of which are used as both an herb and a spice. Native to the Mediterranean and Middle East regions, the plant is widely cultivated in many places worldwide for its culinary uses.

What does coriander do for the body?

Coriander is a fragrant, antioxidant-rich herb that has many culinary uses and health benefits. It may help lower your blood sugar, fight infections, and promote heart, brain, skin, and digestive health. You can easily add coriander seeds or leaves — sometimes known as cilantro — to your diet.

Avatar photo

Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Herbal Tea – Soothing Infusion Drink

Chickpeas – Healthy Legumes