Food By Franz

Cilantro – Its one of the most controversial herbs. As an herb, it resembles a flat leaf parsley and its taste is totally unique. As a spice, Coriander…..now wait a minute, I thought we are talking about Cilantro…well yes, we are. They are in fact the same plant. Cilantro is the leaves and stems of the plant, thus the herb, and once this plant flowers it produces coriander seeds – Neat, eh? A real two for one if you grow it!

Cilantro/Coriander is an annual herb from the family Apiaceae (say that twice, eh). Its a member of the carrot family. It is related to parsley, too. It is incredibly easy to grow, as a matter of fact its hard to keep it from “bolting” or going to seed. Giving it a good haircut every third day once its about 6″ high seemed the recommended advice to keep cilantro in herb form. My best advice to you is grow it in a pot, as it will reseed in the immediate area if you plant it in the ground and you will have volunteer cilantro all summer – not bad if you have the room or need for that much cilantro. Its an easy keeper and its a great companion plant known for repelling aphids!

Cilantro growing

Coriander Seed Whole Cert. Organic (Coriandrum sativum; Cilantro) 1 lb: K

Cilantro in the America’s is used to flavor everything from salsas, meat dishes and sauces (insert link to chimchurri sauce recipe). Middle eastern cooks use the leaves commonly in curries, chutneys and pickles. Coriander seed is a key in garam masala and Indian curries, in generous amounts together with cumin and turmeric – the seeds when crushed add a lemon citrus flavor. Its also the main ingredient of the two south Indian gravies, sambhar and rasam. It is not as popular in Europe in herb form. The Germans however use it in both sausage and beer making.
Cilantro Pesto by Elki

Historically, it grows wild in south east europe. Its been cultivated in China, India and North Africa for eons. Regarded for its aphrodisiac qualities, its an ingredient in chinese love and immortality potions. There is a sanskrit book over a thousand years old that tells of an childless merchant that was cured by a coriander potion. It has also been recorded as an appetite stimulant. It was widely distributed by Roman occupations.

Medically, Coriander is considered an aid to the digestive system. It is an appetite stimulant and aids in the secretion of gastric juices. The essential oils of the cilantro leaves contain antibacterial properties and can be used as a fungicide. It is rich in vitamin C. Coriander has been noted as a “folk cure” in Iran for the relief of anxiety and insomnia.

Interesting facts:
Many of European descent find the herbs smell disgusting.
The name from the Greek koros, (a bedbug), because of the unpleasant, foetid smell of the leaves reminded them of bedbugs (YUCK!)
In the Old Testament “manna” is described as “small round and white like Coriander Seed.”
Archeologically, coriander seeds were found in Tutankhamen burial chamber!

Here’s an interesting book (rightly priced, too) that’s all about cilantro – Great Gift Idea for Cooks!
Growing and Using Cilantro