If you’ve ever dipped a few tortilla chips into a bowl of freshly prepared salsa, you’ve probably enjoyed the aromatic scent and delicious taste that is coriander. Although it’s a popular ingredient in salsa, coriander is versatile enough to flavor meats, salads, and vegetables.

Benefits

Coriander, which is also known as cilantro and Chinese parsley, is an herb that has been recognized for centuries for its healing and medicinal properties. In ancient Greece, coriander was commonly used in medicine and Hippocrates recognized that it provided an array of healthful benefits.

Its seeds are used to aid in digestion. Coriander is also known for being a diuretic. Its oil has calming properties and is used to treat insomnia. An infusion of coriander fights diarrhea and intestinal illnesses, reduces the pain from a toothache, and when used cold, it can be swished around as a mouthwash.

Selecting Coriander

When choosing coriander, always opt for a plant with bright green leaves that look fresh and don’t have blemishes. It is easy to see how coriander leaves can often be mistaken for the flat leaf parsley plant. But the taste of coriander is much different. For coriander seeds, always select those that are yellow and the size of a peppercorn.

Fresh coriander can be stored for two to three weeks in a small glass of water to keep the stems moist. For best results, cover the glass with a plastic bag and close with an elastic band. Coriander may also be stored in a plastic bag or paper towel in the crisper of the refrigerator. Coriander can also be frozen. Want to freeze coriander? Place fresh leaves from the plant into an ice cube tray and cover them with water. Once frozen though, the leaves lose their fantastic scent.

Coriander or Cilantro?

People are sometimes confused with the difference between coriander and cilantro. The word coriander can actually be used to describe the whole plant (leaves, seeds and stem), yet, most people are referring to the seeds of the plant when speaking of coriander and cilantro when speaking about cilantro. The word cilantro comes from the Spanish word for coriander.

Add Coriander to Your Favorite Dishes

Coriander is a wonderfully cool-tasting herb that is reminiscent of lemon or sage. The seeds are very aromatic and sweet with a bit of an orange taste to them. The herb is generally used to flavor fish, poultry, soups, stews, vegetables, fresh and fried foods, sauces, tomatoes, and yogurt. It works well in salads, too. The leaves are traditionally used for green chutney in Indian cuisine. Coriander seeds are often added to curry and chili. In the Mexican cuisine, coriander is a flavorful addition to salsa and guacamole. Also, the leaves are often used as a pretty garnish to any plate.

History

Coriander is an aromatic plant that comes from the family Umbelliferae. It has been widely used since antiquity - the Hebrews used it to flavor their cakes and Romans added this spice to their meats. The Romans shared coriander with other cultures, helping to spread the use of it. Eventually, coriander made its way to the Americas, becoming one of the first spices to be used in the New World. Coriander’s name comes from the Greek word Koris which translates to “bug,” because of the strong odor of the plant’s leaves.

Coriander is an annual or biennial herb that can grow as high as 50 cm. The plant does well in sun or partial shade, and it can also be grown indoors.

Final Thought

The next time you plan to grill fish or chicken, add some chopped coriander to your marinade. Chop tomatoes, purple onions, jalapenos, and coriander to make a refreshing, light tasting salsa that perfectly balances homemade pita chips, Italian bread, or crackers. Coriander can be used with a variety of different foods to add great taste and a cooling scent. You’ll be amazed at all the things you can do with this versatile herb.