Thel's Blog On Spices

A LOOK AT CORIANDER

INTRODUCTION

Coriander is an annual and herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apiaceae, one of the oldest herbs that has been used for over 3,000 years which is valued for its culinary and medicinal uses. It is also known as Cilantro or Chinese parsley.

It is indigenous to the Mediterranean region and is widely cultivated in Asia, North Africa, Russia and Central Europe but now, it is cultivated worldwide and all parts of the plant are edible but the most widely used parts are the fresh leaves and the dried seeds. Coriandrum Sativum L. is its botanical name.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The coriander plant grows between 50 -100 cm tall and its leaves are:

1. Strong-smelling
2. Slender and feathery
3. Variable in shape

The flowers are borne in small umbels and are white or very pale pink and its fruit is a globular, dry schizocarp 3-5mm in diameter and has a fresh and pleasant flavour. When mature, the fruits splits open to release the seeds (yellowish-brown in colour) which when dried, are the portions used as the dried spice, having a slight bittersweet spicy taste these are available whole or in powder form.    

GENERAL COMPOSITION

The different parts of the coriander plant such as the leaves and seeds contain many different components of which a few are:

1. Citronellol    2. Coriandrons A-E   3.Essential oils   4.Flavanoids  5. Dihydrocoriandrin   6.Coriandrin

                                                            

The major constituents are fibre (23–36%), carbohydrates (13- 20%), fatty oil (16–28%), proteins (11–17%) and essential oils (1-1.5%). However, these amounts and ratios can vary with cultivar, season and maturity at harvest.

USES OF CORIANDER

v Coriander seed is an integral part of curry powder and is used in minced meat dishes and stews.

v Young leaves of the plant are used to make sauces and chutneys.

v The green leaves are consumed as fresh herbs, in salads and as garnishes due to its attractive green colour and aroma.

v Coriander oil is also used in cosmetics, body care products and perfumes

v Coriander is used in the preparation of many household medicines to cure bed cold, seasonal fever and stomach disorders.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CORIANDER

v Lowers Blood Glucose Levels

v Improves Blood Cholesterol Levels

v Controls Blood Pressure

v Promotes Weight Loss

v It has Antioxidant Effects

v Supports Healthy Menstruation

v Good for Mouth Ulcers

v It strengthens the immune system.

v Lead-detoxifying potential

v Improves bone health

v Serves as a natural aphrodisiac

v Cures inflammations and spasms

v Protects the liver

HOW TO USE CORIANDER

Coriander is a natural spice and can be used in place most of our artificial spices because of its health
benefits. Half a teaspoon of the powdered form can be used when cooking stews etc. The leaves can
be used in salads as well as to marinate chicken or meat. The dried seeds can be soaked in water
(infusion) and added to chicken or meat not forgetting our ginger onions and garlic in addition. It
tastes really good and it helps the body in various ways. You can get coriander in any form from our
markets but it’s much more advisable to buy it in supermarkets because of possible adulteration by
our market women. Always remember to keep your coriander in an air-tight container and add it to
your meals not only to make it tasty, but also to obtain a good health...!!!