2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Cilantro also known as coriander. In addition, this herb can often be found under other names: Chinese parsley, hamem, kishnish, kinji, kishnich, chilantro, kolyandra. This culture combines the spice, which is the leaves, and the spice, the seeds.
More than five thousand years ago BC, coriander was already known. Initially, this culture appeared in southern Europe, then in Africa, and then in Asia. It is worth noting that at first, coriander was widely used for medicinal purposes. In China, there was even a belief that cilantro could bring immortality. There is a version that cilantro first appeared in Russia in the nineteenth century, but it is quite possible that this culture was known earlier.
Beneficial features
Cilantro has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and the digestive tract. In addition, cilantro also helps with stomach ulcers and gastritis. Coriander is able to strengthen blood vessels. Cilantro oil can help digest heavy foods faster.
Cilantro can be added to a very wide variety of dishes, making this herb truly versatile. In Asian cuisine special attention is paid to cilantro. The use of cilantro seeds allows you to quickly assimilate heavy meat dishes, and the leaves of this plant provide many vitamins and useful trace elements.
Cilantro is added to many Georgian sauces; it is also found in Borodino bread, and in Korean carrots, and in kharcho soup. Some Indian spices and mixtures have some cilantro content.
Cilantro contains proteins, carbohydrates, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and the following vitamins: A, B, C, PP.
Usage
Cilantro seeds and greens differ significantly in taste. The leaves of this plant will give a fresh and juicy aroma and brightly colored taste. The seeds have a woody aroma, their taste and smell are sweet. The seeds can be used either as seeds or as a powder.
Coriander is added to meat, soups and many sauces. As for fresh cilantro leaves, they are used in salads, and in the form of greens, cilantro can be served with meat dishes. A rather specific pungent smell and taste of cilantro is not likely to please everyone, so this culture should be used in a minimum size.
As for the seeds, they are used much more often. Ground coriander is added to bread products, soups, sausages, spaghetti, beans and lentils. For example, in Greece and Cyprus, cilantro is literally in any dish. In Greece, even olives are canned with an abundance of this culture. Cilantro can be ideally combined with a number of other spices, sometimes it is impossible to determine the presence of cilantro in a dish. However, this spice will give a bright taste and amazing aroma. Coriander is also one of the many spice mixtures.
To create a coriander tincture, the coriander should be infused with alcohol. Many alcoholic beverages contain coriander seeds or extract from them. Coriander oil is found in many popular gins. Cilantro is also added to some beers. The drink, which was infused with alcohol, will have a sedative effect, help to relax and even strengthen the muscles of the heart.
Whole coriander is very often added to a variety of marinades. The marinades of the Caucasus deserve special attention here: this fragrant spice is used especially widely here. Sometimes cilantro is added to the dough, as well as to some fermented milk products. The seeds must be crushed right before adding to the dish, only in this case it will be possible to obtain the most distinct and persistent aroma.
In many famous oriental sweets, coriander is widely used, which is added here in a candied form. These amazing sweets can be bought in the oriental bazaars of Arab countries, Iran, Turkey and Egypt.
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How To Store Cilantro Properly. Part 1
Many people love cilantro, but keeping this rather delicate herb fresh is not always easy - it often begins to creep and rot. Nevertheless, if you approach the issue of its storage correctly, you can keep the cilantro fresh even for several months. And then you can enjoy delicious dishes with fresh herbs throughout the season
How To Store Cilantro Properly. Part 3
Continuing the topic of cilantro storage, one cannot fail to mention its storage in the increasingly popular paper towels - both wet and dry. If in the first case the greens will last for about five to seven days, then the second option will allow you to keep it for two to three weeks. However, each of these methods is good in its own way, so both options deserve attention. And which one to use - everyone decides for himself
How To Store Cilantro Properly. Part 2
To keep cilantro as fresh and tasty as possible, it needs to be stored properly. In the first part of this article, we looked at ways to store cilantro in the refrigerator and in special freezer bags. There are several other ways to store this spicy herb - it can be excellently stored in ice cube trays or dried. This solution will allow you to enjoy the taste of greens for several months
Growing Cilantro In The Country And At Home
Spicy greens like cilantro also have another name - coriander. It is often used as a spice in culinary dishes or sauces. In this case, the greens give the food a special aroma and pronounced taste. The food becomes more savory. From the love of the taste of cilantro in dishes, gardeners have learned to grow this culture in their summer cottages on their own
