Cilantro (Coriander) Seeds
This herb is a native of southern Europe and North Africa and is commonly known as
Coriander,
Cilantro, or
Chinese Parsley.
Cilantro is very high in vitamin A and lutein.
Visually,
Cilantro closely resembles
Parsley although,
Cilantro's distinctive flavor is quite different.
Cilantro leaves are used as an herb and the dried seeds, called
Coriander, have an entirely different taste and are used as a spice.
Cilantro is very popular in Chinese and Brazilian cuisine, South Asian chutneys and Mexican salsas and guacamole.
Coriander can frequently be found in Middle Eastern, Asian, Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican and Chinese dishes.
Cilantro is ready to be harvested as soon as the plant is 4 - 6 inches tall, which can take 40 to 60 days after planting. It can take up to 120 days to produce mature seed,
Coriander. If the older, outside leaves are harvested, the plant will continue to produce new foliage until it goes to seed. The plant can regrow for a second cutting; however, it does not regrow as efficiently as
Parsley and for that reason many growers just harvest it once.
Cilantro can also be harvested by pulling out the whole plant.
Some Asian groups will use the roots in their cuisine. It is also believed by some that
Cilantro, when harvested by the root, will stay fresh longer.
Cilantro was once though to be an aphrodisiac and has been used in natural medicine to stimulate digestion.
Also available:
Basil Seeds
Culinary Herb and Spice Blends
Herb Garden Starter Kit
