Culinary and medicinal uses of coriander
Culinary and medicinal uses of coriander
Overview of coriander.
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Transcript
Loved by many, hated by some - its taste either praised as savory fresh or loathed as disgustingly soapy. One herb, two opinions - coriander.
A tip for the kitchen: grinding the leaves breaks down the soapy-tasting compounds, resulting in a milder flavor. Freezing or drying will also kill the scent, but unfortunately, the precious essential oils as well. Coriander should, therefore, always be used in fresh form. With coriander and sesame seeds, a tuna tartar with cucumber takes on a distinctly Asian taste. The leaves' sweet and slightly bergamot-like flavor also goes well with soups, yogurt sauces and marinades. Coriander seeds are also a popular ingredient in the kitchen. From curry powder to gingerbread spice, the seeds are contained in various seasoning blends from different parts of the world - a true cosmopolitan.
In Europe, ground or crushed coriander seeds are particularly popular. In Asia and the Americas, it's the leaves. But cilantro, as the herb is also called, is gaining in popularity in the rest of the world, too. You could almost mistake it for European parsley. But a scent test will quickly end any confusion. Once the leaves are crushed, our noses immediately identify coriander's distinct scent.
As early as 6000 B.C., coriander was already held in high esteem in Israel. The vast Roman Empire meant its culinary fame spread. In the early Middle Ages, the plant was believed to enhance sexual prowess. True to the motto "a love potion never hurt anyone." Even if it fails to boost one's love life directly, coriander will definitely help against bloating and flatulence. Simply chewing on some seeds will provide a quick remedy. If tea is preferred, the crushed seeds should be allowed to stand for about 15 minutes. The leaves are also a miniature medicine cabinet. Valuable antioxidants ease chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism.
Coriander loves warm, dry and chalky soil, as well as a sheltered and sunny location. A spot by a wall is suitable, or in the middle of a flower bed. Coriander will also feel comfortable on the window sill. But you should make sure that everyone at home likes its unique smell. Otherwise you might suddenly find it missing one day. The cause of coriander's soapy taste are so-called aldehydes. The same chemicals that some bugs deploy to deter their predators. In German, coriander has the not so flattering nickname of beetle's dill. And the name coriander itself derives from the Greek word for beetle, kori.
The miracle herb has recently gained a new following among medical scientists. They found out that the essential oil in its leaves will kill even dangerous, multi-resistant germs. That discovery should keep coriander in the spotlight for a while. So it's a good idea to include coriander in your diet. Your immune system will certainly benefit.
A tip for the kitchen: grinding the leaves breaks down the soapy-tasting compounds, resulting in a milder flavor. Freezing or drying will also kill the scent, but unfortunately, the precious essential oils as well. Coriander should, therefore, always be used in fresh form. With coriander and sesame seeds, a tuna tartar with cucumber takes on a distinctly Asian taste. The leaves' sweet and slightly bergamot-like flavor also goes well with soups, yogurt sauces and marinades. Coriander seeds are also a popular ingredient in the kitchen. From curry powder to gingerbread spice, the seeds are contained in various seasoning blends from different parts of the world - a true cosmopolitan.
In Europe, ground or crushed coriander seeds are particularly popular. In Asia and the Americas, it's the leaves. But cilantro, as the herb is also called, is gaining in popularity in the rest of the world, too. You could almost mistake it for European parsley. But a scent test will quickly end any confusion. Once the leaves are crushed, our noses immediately identify coriander's distinct scent.
As early as 6000 B.C., coriander was already held in high esteem in Israel. The vast Roman Empire meant its culinary fame spread. In the early Middle Ages, the plant was believed to enhance sexual prowess. True to the motto "a love potion never hurt anyone." Even if it fails to boost one's love life directly, coriander will definitely help against bloating and flatulence. Simply chewing on some seeds will provide a quick remedy. If tea is preferred, the crushed seeds should be allowed to stand for about 15 minutes. The leaves are also a miniature medicine cabinet. Valuable antioxidants ease chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism.
Coriander loves warm, dry and chalky soil, as well as a sheltered and sunny location. A spot by a wall is suitable, or in the middle of a flower bed. Coriander will also feel comfortable on the window sill. But you should make sure that everyone at home likes its unique smell. Otherwise you might suddenly find it missing one day. The cause of coriander's soapy taste are so-called aldehydes. The same chemicals that some bugs deploy to deter their predators. In German, coriander has the not so flattering nickname of beetle's dill. And the name coriander itself derives from the Greek word for beetle, kori.
The miracle herb has recently gained a new following among medical scientists. They found out that the essential oil in its leaves will kill even dangerous, multi-resistant germs. That discovery should keep coriander in the spotlight for a while. So it's a good idea to include coriander in your diet. Your immune system will certainly benefit.