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Coriander

Information for Coriander

Coriander or Coriandum sativum is an annual growing herb from the Apiaceae family. It is native to Asia, Europe and North Africa. The name coriander comes from the Old French term corniandre, which in is taken from the Latin word coriandrum.

This soft plant is hairless and grows to be about 20" (50 cm) in height. Its leaves are lacy with a wide lobed base and tips which tend to be feathery. It bears white to pale pink flowers and small globular fruits. All parts of the plant are edible including its seeds which are used as a spice. These are slightly spherical with one end being rounded, and the other pointed.

It is covered with longitudinal ridges and ranges in color from white to green and brown. The dried seed is sold both whole and in ground form.

Ripe and dried coriander seed has a distinct sweet, warm, slightly nutty and aromatic smell that is pleasant. It carries a similar warm, sweet and mildly nutty flavor with some orange undertones.

This spice is often combined with many aromatic dishes from Mexico, the Middle East and India. It can be used for spice mixes, soups, stews, sausage, pickling, breads, cakes and many more.



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