What Is Coriander?
Coriander is a double duty herb. Its seeds are knows as coriander and its leaves are known as cilantro, which is used in Latin cooking, this distinct tasting herb is perfect for indoor and kitchen gardens. It sometimes is called Chinese parsley and resembles flat parsley in its appearance. With its refreshing, cooling taste, it is easy to see why cilantro is used with the spicy dishes so common to Latin cuisine.
If you allow cilantro to go to seed, its seeds are called coriander. This herb is found in
bouquet garni. I like to use them in making beef bases sauces and soups. They are a common ingredient in Indian cuisine. To release more of the flavor, roast the seeds in a dry, hot pan for a few minutes until you can smell the scent strongly. These seeds are ground in a mortar and pestle or herb grinder before use.
How Do I Grow Coriander?
Coriander is easy to grow indoors and out. It is a good idea to have two separate plantings so you can harvest the tender leaves and stems for cilantro and let one patch go to seed for coriander. Coriander likes well drained, rich soil and will bolt and turn bitter if grown at temperatures over 75 degrees, so plant it after frost has passed but enjoy it until the full heat of summer hits. You can also grow it in containers. Coriander will do well if you can move it out of the heat of summer, lengthening its time before going to seed. Coriander likes full sun so if it is grown on a windowsill, be sure it gets
at least 8 hours of light.
