So, what is the relationship between coriander & cilantro? That’s what I’ve been wondering and I think I’ve tracked down the answer. The word ‘coriander’ can be used to describe the whole of an annual plant in the parsley family: leaves, stems, seeds & all.
However, when speaking of coriander, most are referring to the spice produced from the seeds of the herb. The leaves of the plant are called cilantro, which derives from the Spanish word for coriander. Ahhh, this makes sense, since the leaves and the ripened seeds taste quite different from each other.
Coriander seems to get a better rap than its counterpart cilantro. Coriander has a pleasing lemon-like flavor accompanied by a sweet aroma. Cilantro, on the other hand, is quite a different story. I found it hilarious that there is actually a site out there that bears much hatred to the wonderful leaf- IHateCilantro.com. You should really browse around, it’s pretty cute. Make sure you check out the graphs that indicates what cilantro tastes like, it ranges from doll hair to stink bugs.
Maybe cilantro is like caviar & Scotch whiskey, you have to develop a taste for it. I must be a quick developer, because cilantro is rarely not in my kitchen. It goes in my couscous, guacamole, salsa and bruschetta. Cilantro is my pal, maybe I should think on starting IHeartCilantro.com.
Coriander & its cilantro leaves are native to the Mediterranean and parts of southwestern Europe. The plant dates back to at least 5,000 BC. Coriander references have been found in Sanskrit writings and the seeds were placed in Egyptian tombs. The Greek physician believed ingesting coriander would heighten a man’s sexual potency. They were always saying that, weren’t they?
Today cilantro & coriander both are flourishing in kitchens worldwide. Stay tuned for the upcoming ‘I Heart Cilantro Avocado Chicken Wrap’ recipe.
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