Originally Published on: Nov 23, 2016 – 20:02 by A-G @ soultranslations.com
What Is It?
- also known as coriander
- considered both an herb (leaves) and a spice (seeds)
- resemblance to Italian flat leaf parsley (belong to same plant family-Umbelliferae)
- the fruit contains two seeds, used as spice, available whole or as ground powder
- fragrant flavor
- one of the world’s oldest spices (5,000 BC)
- native to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions
- some ancient uses: preserve meats, flavor breads, medicinal properties, aromatic stimulant
Healing Properties/Health Benefits
- contains an antibacterial compound (in both the seeds and fresh leaves) that may be a safe, natural means of fighting Salmonella
- eight other antibiotic compounds were isolated from fresh coriander
- recent studies on animals- confirmed these healing effects
- “anti-diabetic”
- anti-inflammatory properties
- cholesterol-lowering effects
- the volatile oils found in the leaves may have antimicrobial properties
Nutrition
- exceptional phytonutrient content (esp the seeds)-> good source of dietary fiber, copper, manganese, iron, magnesium and calcium
- containsflavonoids and active phenolic acid
- contains vitamins K, C and A
- the fruits have two seeds–> dried spice
Availability and How To Grow
- available throughout the year
- select organically grown if possible
-
Fresh leaves
- should look vibrantly fresh, deep green in color, firm, crisp, free from yellow or brown spots.
- highly perishable, should always be stored in the refrigerator
- wrap the coriander leaves in a damp cloth or paper towel and place them in a plastic bag
-
Seeds
- available whole or in ground powder form
- buy whole instead of powder (loses its flavor more quickly) and ground them yourself as needed
- keep in an opaque, tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place
- last fresh for about a year
References
- Dr Axe- Food Is Medicine: 12 Cilantro Benefits, Nutrition & Recipes
- Global Healing Center: The Health Benefits of Cilantro
