Coriander
What is Coriander?
Coriander as a spice is the seeds of the coriander plant, which are used in dried form as a spice in many countries around the world. Coriander can be used as an independent spice, or it can be part of various seasonings consisting of various spices. In general, coriander is a unique plant. In cooking, both coriander seeds and its green leaves, which have a separate name - cilantro, are used. In addition, coriander is used in traditional and folk medicine, in the perfume industry and not only. Coriander flowers are a good source of nectar and provide a high honey yield.
The Use of Coriander in Cooking
Coriander is widely used in cooking as a spice in whole and ground form. As a spice, coriander is added to various dishes, mainly meat. Coriander is widely used in the manufacture of sausages, marinades, is used in salting fish, drying and salting salo and meat, in the production of canned fish and meat. Due to its peculiar aroma, coriander is also used in the recipes of some beers, liqueurs and other spirits, tinctures and balms. Coriander goes well with black pepper and other spices, and is also part of various spice mixtures - for example, coriander is part of the recipe for dry adjika or Svan salt, as well as many other seasonings.
The Use of Coriander in Medicine
Coriander seeds are used medicinally in both traditional and folk medicine. Medical preparations made on the basis of coriander are used to improve appetite and normalize digestion, as a choleretic agent, are used as a wound healing agent, and also as a flavoring agent to improve the taste and smell of medicines. Coriander can be used as an analgesic and antiseptic for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as an antibacterial agent for diseases of the upper respiratory tract and other diseases. Traditional medicine suggests using coriander for the same purposes as traditional medicine - for diseases of the stomach and intestines, to fight worms, as an anti-cold remedy, to improve appetite and relieve various pains.
The Benefits and Harms of Coriander
Coriander is a fairly safe spice to consume and when used wisely, this spice is safe for the body. Coriander contains a set of minerals and vitamins, which has a beneficial effect on various human organs and the state of his body as a whole. The benefits of coriander lies in its positive effect on the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract and other human organs. But in addition to a positive effect, in some cases, the use of coriander can harm the body. There are a number of diseases and conditions of the body in which the use of this spice must be limited or completely eliminated. It is undesirable to use coriander for peptic ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, thrombophlebitis, coronary heart disease, low blood pressure and pregnancy, as well as for individual intolerance to this spice. Certain problems can also arise if the amount of coriander eaten is abused - in this case, an allergic reaction to coriander, nausea, disruption of the endocrine system and other organs is possible. For this reason, coriander, like other spices, should be consumed in moderation.
Scientific Name of Coriander
Coriander seed, or vegetable coriander, (Coriándrum sativum) is an herbaceous plant of the genus Coriander (Coriandrum) of the umbrella family (Apiaceae). Coriander greens have another name - cilantro.
Coriander and Its Cultivation
Coriander was first discovered in one of the regions of the Eastern Mediterranean and spread throughout Europe when the Romans began to conquer new territories, so coriander came to the territory of Great Britain and other European countries. Coriander was brought from Europe to America, Australia and New Zealand. Currently, coriander is cultivated in many countries of the world.
In What Form Can You Buy Coriander?
You can buy coriander in the form of whole seeds - this is how the flavor of coriander is preserved best, and you can use it either whole or grind it just before cooking. But for the speed and convenience of cooking, you can buy ground coriander, which is crushed seeds. Due to the unpretentiousness of coriander and its high yield, the price of the spice is low compared to other spices.