CORIANDER

Coriander Cilantro

Another member of the parsley family coriander to some is a misunderstood plant. Sometimes being called cilantro or another name like cilantrillo. People use the fruits, leaves and root. The root though is mainly in Thailand.

The different parts do pocess different flavors. Base leaves of the coriander plant are said to have the most flavor. Coriander leaves are also known as cilantro.

In Europe this plant is not a favorite and is even disliked. However, the fruit, most agree the aroma is nutty and spicey with some orange-like quality in it. Some believe this dislike is handed down from generation to generation and people don't really give it a chance.

In Asia, Latin America and Africa people do love coriander leaves. They believe the leaves citrusy, green, fresh and even tangy.

Origin is considered to be Asia Minor or Eastern Mediterranean around Greece. And in USA and Latin America coriander leaves are commonly known as cilantro. So you can see the confusion about this plant and why some people are not sure to use it.

These countries or areas are currently using coriander freely...

Mexican salsa with its perky addition.

Latin American cuisine,dishes like ceviche, acid cooked fish dish, and many sauces and stews. One example is pumpkin seed sauce served over chicken.

Chinese adding coriander to stir fries and sauces to perk them up and add a fresh, pungent taste. The whole plant is often boiled and eaten as a vegetable.

Chopped the leaves, as well as the more pungent roots, add zest to most Thai curries, and the ground seeds (called coriander) also gives added flavor. India curry powders owe a lot of their aromatic, citrus quality to ground coriander.

In the American kitchen, used in gingerbread, cookies, yeast breads, sausages, stews, and chicken dishes. A dash of coriander to cooked beets for a zesty treat.

It has been found in Egyptian tombs back 3000 years. It is even mentioned in the Bible where manna is described as "small round and white like coriander seed." The ancient Hebrews originally used cilantro root as the bitter herb in the symbolic Passover meal.

The Romans and through their conquests, cilantro's use and legend spread to Europe and Asia, where it appeared in recipes for potions used as aphrodisiacs in China during the Han dynasty. The Romans themselves used coriander with cumin and vinegar as a preservative which they rubbed into meat.

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Growing coriander:

An annual herb grows best in part shade to full sun with good drainage.

Is a quick grower and will reseed itself.

Produces white to light lavender blooms during summer.

Can harvest the seeds and store or plant new starts during the summer months for a steady use of the herb for fresh leaves. Medically can be used to settle an upset stomach and is used with medications to make them more palatable.

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