The round, tan-colored seeds obtained from the coriander plant are a part of everyday shopping. In addition, these seeds are added to many dishes to give them a sweet and floral aroma. Not only flavorful, but the Herb is beneficial to your health as well. People incorporate the herb into several remedies.
Want to know more about this unique plant? Then keep reading because this article will guide you on all the essential aspects of herbs.
Coriander Seeds
The coriander plant bear leaves and seeds. The plant usually seeds when there is late spring to the early summer season. The coriander seeds are light brown, hollow, and round in appearance. People use them as a seasoning, and we can convert them into various forms such as powdered, oil, unprocessed form, etc. Coriander seeds are among the significant Middle Eastern, Indian, Latin, Asian, French, Greek, and Caribbean cuisines.
How to grow and harvest Coriander?
It is easy to grow the coriander plant in your kitchen garden. This fragrant and anti-oxidant-rich plant can also be grown in trays and pots containing nutrient-rich general-purpose compost. In this Guide to Coriander Uses and Health Benefits, we will mention some of the most straightforward steps to plant and harvest it.
- The best seasons to plant coriander seeds are the late spring and fall. If you plant it in the summer, then there are chances that the plant will bolt and turn out to be bitter.
- Look for a sunny site in your garden to grow this plant.
- Make sure that you plant the coriander seeds in well-drained soil with a PH of 6.2 to 6.8.
- Sow the seeds separately at a distance of 1 to 2 inches.
- Don’t forget to water the plant regularly.
- If your encounter any insects on the plant, then use insecticidal soap.
- When the harvesting season comes, cut the plant’s stem and shake it in a bag to automatically fall off the ripened seeds. If you don’t wish to continue harvesting, then remove the entire plant.
How to Store and Preserve the Seeds?
You can store the whole seed for a year and the ground seeds for around two to six months with proper preserving methods.
If you want to store coriander seeds, then keep them in an airtight container. Exposure to air can lead to the reduction of the shelf life of these seeds. Please store it in a cool location because volatile substances such as the essential oils of Coriander are known to evaporate when the temperature rises. Avoid keeping it in an area where the light can start the photodegradation phenomenon, resulting in loss of flavor and aroma of the seeds.
If you want to store the coriander leaves, more commonly known as cilantro, then freeze or dry them. Put the cilantro leaves in a container or a resealable bag and keep them in the refrigerator. For the drying method, hang the leaves in a hot area until they are thoroughly dried, and then keep the cilantro leaves in a container.
What is the difference between Coriander and Cilantro?
Both the coriander seed and cilantro are from the same kind of plant called Corian drum sativum. However, it cannot be obvious when somebody refers to Coriander because it is usually associated with the leaves and the dried seeds.
The Cilantro word is derived from the Spanish language. It is used only for the herbaceous leaves obtained from the coriander plant. In contrast, people use the phrase Coriander for both the seeds and plant leaves and stems.
What is the taste/flavor of Coriander?
Although the coriander seeds and leaves come from the same plant, they differ in their flavors. We use coriander seeds in curries, soups, and rice dishes because of their warm and spicy taste. When toasted, they give out an earthy, tart, and floral flavor.
In contrast, we use the fresh green leaves of the coriander plant called cilantro for garnishing because of their refreshing, citrusy, and herbaceous flavor. However, some people have also said that these green leaves taste like soap and metal.
Can you Substitute Coriander with any other herbs and spices?
Suppose you are not a coriander person and are searching for some suitable substitutes. In that case, your search is over because you can replace coriander seeds and leaves with many other herbs and spices available in the market.
In exchange for coriander seeds, the options available include cumin, caraway, fennel, garam masala, and curry powder. All these spices blend nicely into your dishes and can leave a delicious taste in your mouth.
Instead of using coriander leaf or cilantro, you can use parsley, tarragon, dill, basil leaf, and herb mixtures. When properly cut and garnished, all these substitutes give various dishes a bright and refreshing, tangy flavor.
Uses of Coriander
Some people use it in the cooking of everyday dishes. For example, you can use it to prepare soups, curries, pickles, masalas, baked goods, etc. The leaves are used mainly in the unprocessed form. In contrast, We roast the seeds, grounded, or dried them before adding them to the dishes.
Does Coriander closely resemble flat-leaf parsley?
Yes, the coriander leaf or more commonly known as cilantro, does closely resemble parsley. There is a reason behind this resemblance because both the plants belong to the same botanical family Apiaceous.
Other than the appearance, there is a way to differentiate between parsley and cilantro. The coriander leaf has a significantly strong taste; in comparison, the parsley has a milder and subtle flavor and scent.
Forms of Coriander
The Coriander can be converted into different forms according to the need. Follow mentioned are some of the ways the plant can be transformed, stored, and used:
● Purees and pastes: Keeping the herb fresh in your kitchen for a long time is challenging, so many people tend to convert it into pastes and purees. We can prepare the pastes with chilies, garlic, yogurt, and any ingredient of your choice.
● Coriander Powder: You can obtain the powder by grinding the seeds. You can prepare the powder at home, but it is also available in the markets. We use it as a spice.
● Dried Coriander fruit: The dried fruit is the seed.
● Coriander oil: You can obtain it from the coriander leaves by boiling and blending them with other oils such as olive oil. It is perfect for digestion.
● Essential oil: It is prepared from coriander seeds by the process of steam distillation. It is very beneficial for health and is used in the treatment of various skin diseases.
● Fresh leaves: They can be obtained from the plant and utilized in garnishing cuisines.
● Processed and unprocessed forms: The coriander plant is withered and dried artificially in many countries. Most often, people use unprocessed herb plants as a whole.
What are the Health Benefits of Coriander?
The coriander plant carries many health benefits; that’s why it is recommended to incorporate this plant into your everyday cooking. The herb is an anti-oxidant-rich plant, so it boosts immunity and fighting radicals in the body.
It is highly beneficial for diabetes patients because it helps in lowering blood sugar levels. It is also known to improve brain and heart health.
The recommended amount to be taken
There is no such recommended amount because the daily serving size of the herb depends upon the person’s health, age, and many other factors. Usually, it is safe to use Coriander daily, but too much can cause allergic reactions.
Where to buy them?
You can buy Coriander seeds and leaves because they are readily available in every other grocery store.
Conclusion
It would be great to add Coriander to your dishes because it gives a pleasant flavor to them. While looking at all the health benefits, you can also grow it in your kitchen garden.
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