What dishes do you add ground coriander to? Cilantro - benefits and harms of the plant; its cultivation; beneficial properties and contraindications; use of coriander in cooking and healing; dish recipes

Small hard ribbed balls Brown with a tart aroma - the well-known coriander. The beneficial properties of the plant are used in many areas of life - in cooking, cosmetology, and folk medicine. The plant is sometimes called cilantro. Clarification: - these are green leaves, and the fruits are called coriander. We will tell you in detail about the properties and uses of the plant.

About the spice

Cilantro is an annual herbaceous plant. Its leaves resemble parsley in shape, but are more spicy aroma and bitter taste. The plant is not called coriander by chance: the green fruits have bad smell, reminiscent of the smell of a bug. This insect is called coriander in Greek.

Dried fruits smell completely different. The seeds owe their woody aroma to the essential oil content. It is this substance that makes them spicy. It’s not for nothing that coriander is added even to sweet baked goods.

The plant's homeland is the eastern Mediterranean. Its spread began in the era of great geographical discoveries - from the 15th century. Nowadays, cilantro is grown everywhere. In Russia, the growing area is the central and southeastern regions. Other plant names:

  • Chinese parsley;
  • calandra - in Belarus;
  • sowing kishnets - in Russia;
  • dhaniya - in India,
  • sancho - in Korea.

What parts of the plant are used:

  1. Greenery. Used in fresh. The youngest leaves are collected as soon as the cilantro sprouts.
  2. Dried cilantro leaves are harvested for adding to food and making medicines.
  3. Coriander fruits are eaten only in dried form. First they are dried, then cleaned and crushed as necessary.
  4. Coriander essential oil is extracted using steam distillation.

Compound

Widespread use is explained by the rich composition of the spice. It is a storehouse of vitamins, minerals and other substances necessary for humans. Vitamins in coriander:

  • B1, B2, B3, B4 and B9.

Microelements:

  • iron,
  • manganese,
  • selenium,
  • zinc,
  • copper.

Macronutrients:

  • phosphorus,
  • calcium,
  • magnesium,
  • sodium,
  • potassium.

Fatty acid:

  • stearic,
  • oleic,
  • linoleic,
  • palmitic.

Coriander contains tannins, dietary fiber, starch and. The spice contains flavonoids, phytoncides, antioxidants, choline, dodecenal - natural antibiotic. The spice also contains alkaloids, fructose and glucose. Calorie content per 100 g of product: in leaves - 23 calories, in ground seeds - 298 kcal.

Properties

The spice is used in cooking for its spicy aroma and sweet taste. Coriander has the property of improving appetite. The spectrum of action of the plant is wide, which allows it to be equally successfully used both in cooking and in cosmetology and medicine. Main properties of cilantro:

  • antiseptic,
  • choleretic,
  • painkiller,
  • expectorant
  • warming,
  • soothing,
  • anti-inflammatory,
  • hemostatic,
  • laxative,
  • cleansing,
  • anticancer,
  • whitening,
  • rejuvenating.

Benefit

What benefits can you get from eating coriander seeds?

  • Improves blood composition due to iron content. To increase hemoglobin, eat a bunch of fresh cilantro every day.
  • The iron in the plant helps prevent anemia. Moreover, coriander acts not only as a prophylactic, but also as a medicinal agent in the early stages of this disease.
  • The spice normalizes cholesterol levels.
  • Selenium removes waste and toxins, as well as heavy metals, from the body's cells.
  • The spice is useful for joints: linoleic acid in its composition helps fight arthritis and rheumatism.
  • Improves digestion. Essential oils help secrete gastric juice and enzymes.
  • Cilantro greens neutralize bloating and gas formation in the intestines.
  • Stimulates the functioning of the pancreas.
  • The antibacterial properties of cilantro are the key to success in the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with infection by harmful microorganisms, such as salmonellosis.

Important!
The Polzateevo magazine clarifies: do not cancel the medications prescribed to you, just include coriander in your diet with the permission of your doctor.

  • The benefit for women is to normalize the menstrual cycle. The spice softens premenstrual symptoms and relieves pain during menstruation. Effective for menopause.
  • For men, coriander is very valuable because it is natural male aphrodisiac. Its properties to enhance sexual desire are used in perfumery.
  • Coriander strengthens the gums and, in general, has a positive effect on the condition oral cavity. The disease of the 21st century is caries. It occurs in almost all people with a European-type diet. The spice coriander helps prevent tooth damage or slow down the development of caries. Useful seasoning for stomatitis.
  • There is a beneficial effect on the condition of the eye muscles and nerves. Vitamins A and E prevent various eye diseases and slow down their aging. In folk medicine, the properties of coriander are used to treat conjunctivitis.
  • It is an antidepressant.
  • Benefits of coriander for the skin: its antiseptic properties help fight acne, acne, and eczema. The plant can cure fungal skin diseases in the early stages.
  • Combats flaking and dry skin.
  • The seeds have a wound-healing effect. For cuts and scrapes, coriander powder will help prevent infections from entering the wound.
  • Inflammatory diseases of the biliary and Bladder can be cured with coriander as part of complex therapy.
  • If you suffer from swelling in the morning, coriander will again help, or rather, a decoction of cilantro. Bags under the eyes and general skin fatigue can also be eliminated with the help of the plant.
  • The spice whitens age spots.
  • For the scalp, the use of coriander strengthens the hair follicles and, therefore, stops hair loss. Fat content is eliminated. Dandruff disappears. The spice is suitable for all hair types, so you can provide complete care to both oily and fine dry hair.

Application

Coriander in cooking is a seasoning for meat and fish dishes, potatoes, and cereals. Used in canning. Combined with different products, appropriate in dishes such as soups and salads. Add the spice to baked goods, for example, to black bread along with cumin seeds. They are flavored alcoholic products- liqueurs.

The substances linalool and geraniol are extracted from the seeds of the plant. They are used in the pharmaceutical industry to create drugs that help with peptic ulcer stomach, gastritis and duodenal ulcer. In folk medicine, both a decoction of fresh herbs and dried crushed fruits are used for treatment. Interestingly, ancient shamans used the plant in magical rituals.

Harm

Such healthy spice can bring not only benefits, but also harm. The product may cause individual intolerance. The spice has a dosage, exceeding which has a negative effect on the body.

Advice!
Use no more than 4 g (1 teaspoon) of plant seeds per day, and 35 g of greens.

Side effects of cilantro:

  • sleep disturbance, insomnia;
  • disruption of the menstrual cycle in women;
  • memory impairment.

Children should be given the spice with extreme caution, as it can cause stuttering. During pregnancy, coriander is not recommended. It can be eaten with caution in small quantities and only as a seasoning. At diabetes mellitus The inclusion of coriander in the diet must be agreed with the doctor, since it contains glucose.

Contraindications for use:

  • stomach ulcer,
  • cholecystitis,
  • gastritis,
  • thrombophlebitis,
  • cardiac ischemia,
  • heart attack,
  • high blood pressure.

Medicinal recipes

For a cold

You will need:

  • cilantro seeds - 4 tbsp;
  • ginger root - 4 small pieces;
  • 4 glasses of water.

Lightly fry the coriander, mix with ginger and cook in water. When the plants have boiled down by half, filter the broth and drink in small portions until the condition improves.

For flatulence

Ingredients:

  • coriander - 2 parts,
  • anise - 1 part,
  • - 1 part.

For 2 tsp. spice mixture - 100 ml boiling water. Pour in seasonings. Leave for 10 minutes. Strain and drink.

For depression

  • 100 g seeds,
  • 1 liter of red wine.

Leave the mixture for a week. Strain before use. Drink 0.5 cups 2 times a day.

For inflammation of the gallbladder

You will need:

  • coriander seeds - 1 g,
  • watch leaves - 3 g,
  • caraway flowers - 4 g.

Boil the mixture for 10 minutes. Strain, take warm 20 minutes before meals, half a glass.

Anti-puffiness tea

Take:

  • fresh cilantro leaves,
  • water.

Raw materials and water are taken in a ratio of 1:4. Pour boiling water over the leaves, wait 5 minutes and drink.

For beauty

Lotion for problem skin

The product tones and fights inflammation. For 1 tbsp. cilantro leaves - 1 cup boiling water. Brew for 20 minutes. Wipe the skin twice - morning and evening.



Home peeling

  • cilantro seeds,
  • aloe,
  • cumin,
  • comfrey,
  • elderberry flowers,
  • licorice,
  • lemon zest,
  • sandalwood,
  • vetiver,
  • mineral water,
  • lemon juice - for oily skin,
  • milk - for dry skin,
  • cosmetic clay.

Mix seeds and herbs in equal proportions. Add cosmetic clay. For the peeling procedure, dilute the mixture mineral water in a ratio of 3:1. For oily skin, add a little lemon juice; for dry skin, add a little milk. For normal skin Enough basic ingredients. When the herbs swell, massage the mixture onto your skin for a few minutes and rinse with warm water.

In cooking

Mediterranean dish - marinated olives

Ingredients:

  • green - 200 g,
  • coriander grains - 10 pcs.,
  • lemon juice - 1 tbsp,
  • cold pressed olive oil - 1 tbsp.,
  • ground black pepper, garlic - to taste.

Cooking:

  1. Grind the coriander seeds.
  2. Mix the spice with olives.
  3. Mix the oil with lemon juice and black pepper. It tastes better if it is freshly ground.
  4. Mix all products.
  5. Add the grated clove of garlic and leave to marinate for 2 days.

Bon appetit, don’t get sick, and let coriander bring only benefits to you and your loved ones!

Cilantro or coriander is one of the most popular spices in Asia. It is also called Chinese parsley, kolyandra, kishnets sowing, shlyondra, hamem, kishnishi, kinji, chilantro, kasnich.

This plant is one of the few that combines a spice (leaves) and a spice (seeds). Coriander has been known to people since 5000 BC.

Having spread throughout southern Europe, it reached northern Africa and then Asia. At first this plant was used in medicine, and then it came to cooking. Coriander even found its way onto the “pages” of ancient Egyptian papyri and Sanskrit texts. The Egyptians placed coriander seeds in the tombs of the pharaohs, believing that coriander was among the necessities of the afterlife. The Chinese believed that coriander caused arousal and prepared love potions based on it. And in China they believed that coriander makes a person immortal. The Romans whetted their appetite with coriander and took it with them on the road. It was with the Romans that coriander seeds came first to the British Isles and then to the rest of Western Europe. Around this time, coriander reached eastern and central Europe. It is believed that coriander was brought to Russia from Spain in 1830, although this fact does not prove that the spice was not known in Rus' earlier.

It has been proven that cilantro (coriander) is very beneficial for the cardiovascular system and everything digestive tract. Chewing coriander seeds reduces the smell of alcohol and slows down the process of intoxication. In addition, cilantro has choleretic, antiseptic, and analgesic properties for stomach ulcers and gastritis. It is also useful for decreased appetite, weak intestinal motility and other unpleasant ailments of internal organs. Coriander nourishes the blood, improves the functioning of the heart muscle, and strengthens blood vessels. Coriander contains enough a large number of essential oils, which are alcohol tinctures release all the aroma and reduce the unpleasant properties of alcohol. Coriander oils help digest heavy foods, remove toxins, and especially improve the digestion of starchy foods and root vegetables. Coriander seeds, or rather an extract of essential oils, are used in some recipes famous brands genies. With cilantro, any food is absorbed easier, digested faster, and does not leave a feeling of heaviness. It is no coincidence that in the Caucasus, where there are so many long-livers and “hot horsemen,” cilantro is used to the maximum.

In different areas of the world they prefer to use different parts of this plant. Somewhere they like leaves (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia), and in other places they like seeds (Mediterranean, China, Uzbekistan). But these are purely taste preferences - cilantro leaves, like its seeds, are equally healthy and tasty. The number of dishes that can be decorated with the spicy aroma of cilantro and coriander is in the thousands. Green cilantro is served as an appetizer or seasoning for main courses. In Asian countries (especially in China), they love this fragrant herb and season many dishes with it. They love this greenery very much in the Caucasus, adding it to numerous meat dishes. The well-known beneficial effect of cilantro on digestion goes very well with heavy meat foods, and the leaves, rich in vitamins and microelements, give health and decorate the taste of dishes.

Without coriander, Borodino bread, Abkhaz adjika, most Georgian sauces(satsibeli, tkemali, etc.), Korean carrots, canned fish, kharcho soup, lula kebab, Azerbaijani kebab, Georgian lobio and others National dishes. The obligatory use of coriander in many dishes has become so commonplace that we do not notice it. For example, Baltic canned sprat They simply cannot do without coriander. IN Indian spices, such as curries and mixtures under the general name “masala”, a significant proportion of coriander is necessarily present. Yes and throughout oriental cuisine coriander is added generously, making dishes not only aromatic, but also healthy. Coriander is used with pleasure in the Mediterranean countries, Africa and Eastern Europe. Slightly less popular in Western Europe, Latin American countries and South and North America. We can say with complete confidence that coriander is a global seasoning along with salt, pepper and bay leaf.

Nutrients contained in fresh cilantro (100 g fresh leaves):

Calorie content: 216.4 kcal
Proteins: 3.0 g
Carbohydrates: 54.5 g

Vitamins:
Vitamin A: 1.0 mg
Vitamin B1: 0.03 mg
Vitamin B2: 0.2 mg
Vitamin C: 5.0 mg
Vitamin PP: 2.1 mg

Microelements:
Iron: 3.0 mg
Potassium: 2043.0 mg
Calcium: 115.0 mg
Magnesium: 92.0 mg
Sodium: 141.0 mg
Phosphorus: 192.0 mg

The taste and aroma of greens and seeds are different, the purpose is also slightly different, as is the effect. Cilantro leaves have fresh aroma, bright taste with sharp colors. The seeds have a woody aroma, sweet taste and smell. Cilantro seeds (coriander) are good both in seed form (whole) and powder (ground). Coriander is very suitable for adding to meat dishes, when preparing soups and sauces. Fresh cilantro leaves are often added to salads, in the last stage of cooking soups and sauces, served as greens for meat dishes, such as barbecue or kebabs, and added to sandwiches. The leaves have a specific pungent odor and a specific taste that few people like, and they should be added with caution. Cilantro seeds are used much more widely. Most often crushed is used, that is ground coriander. It is added to bread, soups, meat dishes, pasta, sausages, Turkish shish kebabs, Thuringian sausages, bean and lentil dishes (Ful dish in North and Central Africa). In Greece and Cyprus, literally everything is seasoned with coriander. The French, who don’t really like coriander, call salads seasoned with coriander “Greek.” And what is the famous “Aphelia” worth? lamb stew in red wine with coriander. In Greece, olives are preserved with a generous addition of this spice. Coriander has an amazing compatibility with other spices, skillfully camouflaging itself among them, but at the same time, enriching it with its taste and aroma. Many mixtures have been made using coriander as one of the main components.

Whole coriander is often infused in alcohol to form a coriander tincture. Many alcoholic drinks contain a squeeze of coriander seeds or whole seeds. Many famous gins contain coriander oil. Coriander is even added to beer. A drink infused with coriander has a calming effect, relaxes and strengthens the heart muscles. Whole coriander is usually added to marinades. They are especially famous Caucasian marinades with the addition of this fragrant spice. Coriander can also be added to the dough, vegetable salads or stew, dairy products. It is better to grind the seeds immediately before adding, then the aroma will be fullest.

Famous oriental sweets include candied coriander. This delicacy was widely sold at oriental bazaars Turkey, Iran and Arab countries.

Cilantro and coriander are the same plant, only cilantro is a green leaf and coriander is a seed. The plant is often used not only as an ingredient in cooking, but also as a component in medicinal tinctures, cosmetics due to the presence of a large amount of vitamins and nutrients in it.


What is it and what does it look like?

The plant began to be used more than three thousand years ago. Then they believed that infusions of ground coriander gave a person strength and health. Hippocrates created infusions for depression and nervous conditions, and treated skin infections. It is a seed plant that produces excellent honey.

It was first grown as a crop in the Mediterranean. Today, coriander is distributed almost throughout the world. Externally, the plant is similar in leaf shape to parsley, its root length reaches forty centimeters. The bush can grow up to 70 centimeters in height. Flowers usually appear in late June, early July. The fruits used are spherical seeds, which are called coriander. It is worth noting that the plant has a very pungent spicy smell.


Beneficial features

Coriander is a good spice for many dishes; the leaves and seeds can be used fresh in salads; the taste goes well with meat. The spice has a lot useful qualities, although some people don't really like it because of the smell. However, coriander can improve appetite and digestion. The seeds are used as an ingredient to create products that can help treat:

  • gallbladder;
  • liver;
  • intestines.

Few people know, but infusions from the plant have special property- they have an expectorant and are excellent for coughing. They have proven effective in treating colds.


After much research, scientists have found that the elements contained in coriander have a negative effect on cancer cells, so people who use the spice in large quantities are less likely to develop cancer.

The list of main components includes not only carbohydrates and proteins, but also:

  • monodisaccharides;
  • acids;
  • B vitamins and more;
  • cellulose;
  • minerals and alkaloids.

Undoubtedly, there are benefits from consuming this plant; people with stomatitis and toothache are advised to simply chew coriander seeds. This helps to destroy all pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity, caries, and removes bad breath. Prepared decoctions act as a diuretic; they are excellent in helping and relieving inflammation in cystitis and inflammation of the gallbladder.


The product can be successfully used for diabetes and liver problems. It helps excellently for those patients who have gastritis or ulcers; the overall effect is aimed at strengthening immune system, bones and blood vessels. It is worth drinking coriander infusions for those who have insomnia and experience constant sleep disturbances. high pressure, increased sweating. So bright and not for everyone pleasant aroma due to high content in the plant linalool and geraniol. Both components are widely used in production medicines:

  • choleretic;
  • anti-inflammatory;
  • laxatives.

Excellent infusions help with indigestion, promote better digestion of food, and can be used for various types of skin infections. You can often find coriander in cosmetics, because essential oils and carotene are good at removing puffiness, helping fight acne, and whitening the face. Adding a decoction when rinsing your hair helps strengthen it and get rid of dandruff.


Remedies made from coriander can relieve nervous tension, improve the condition during menopause, and normalize the menstrual cycle. Most spices are prohibited from being used during breastfeeding, but this rule does not apply to coriander. During pregnancy, chewing grains relieves heartburn, helps relieve nausea, and removes excess moisture from the body. Spice benefits not only women, but also the stronger half of humanity, because it:

  • increases potency;
  • enhances libido;
  • increases testosterone levels;
  • is a unique aphrodisiac.

In addition, chewing the seeds can remove the smell of alcohol and cope with hemorrhoids. The spice is simply necessary for people who try to monitor their own weight. In addition to the unique taste of dishes, coriander improves metabolism. You can add spice to soups, main dishes and salads.


Contraindications

Despite great amount Although coriander has its advantages, there are also contraindications, although they are few. You can get poisoned by the spice if you eat it uncontrollably. Daily norm is no more than three grams of seeds. Doctors do not recommend eating the spice in large quantities for people who always have low blood pressure, cardiac ischemia, or chronic cholecystitis. Patients with thrombophlebitis should also be careful when introducing coriander into food.

Of course, if you add a couple of grains of the plant to the dish for flavor, there will be no harm. Those who have an individual intolerance to the plant need to replace it.


Use of seasoning in cooking

Coriander and cilantro can be added to different dishes, this seasoning is great for meat, fish and pilaf. Use these culinary masterpieces pure pleasure. Not only the seeds, but also the leaves are eaten. Ground seeds are actively used in baking bread (remember the taste of Borodino). The seeds of the plant are especially actively used in oriental cuisine. In India, spice becomes the base element for many dishes. It turns out especially delicious braised cabbage, legumes, vegetable marinades. Few people know, but in some countries, cilantro seeds are turned into a dessert by candiing them. It is difficult to imagine the following dishes without such an ingredient:

  • tkemali;
  • adjika;
  • satsibeli.


Ground coriander is often used in baking gingerbreads, cookies and other sweets. The spice goes well with beets and pumpkin in dishes. The ingredient is used in sausages, canned fish and meat. It is worth saying that even in dry form, coriander does not lose its aroma, but the seeds are stored whole and ground immediately before use. Long-term heat treatment destroys the essential oil, this is the only thing that spoils the taste of the seasoning. Of course, it can be combined with other spices.


Where else is it used?

It is not surprising that the aroma of coriander has found its use in perfumery and more. Essential oil is often one of the components in cosmetics and even soap. It goes perfectly with the following oils:

  • citrus;
  • sage;
  • sandalwood;
  • bergamot.

Coriander, cilantro and their infusions are used everywhere in professional cosmetology. The active elements in the plant help to gently remove age spots, improve skin condition, and nourish with vitamin A. This plant is also called Chinese parsley. Regular external use helps normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, the condition of the hair and scalp. The infusion perfectly restores them after coloring, adds shine and vitality dull and weakened hair.


Essential oil is often used in so-called aromatherapy, as it activates mental activity, reveals creativity, helps concentrate and relieves stress. A state of deep depression can be corrected with this home remedy. For one hundred grams of seeds you need a liter of red wine. The seeds must be ground before use. The composition is put in a dark place for a week, you will need to shake it every day.

Before use, shake the tincture again and drink one hundred milliliters every day before meals. This drink also has a positive effect on appetite and will restore strength and energy.


The seeds are also used in a variety of recipes. traditional medicine, while the oil is used in industry. It can be bold and ethereal. The fatty acid is used in soap making or the production of oleic acid, and the essential oil is used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, coriander oil helps to artificially synthesize other substances that cannot be obtained directly.

To learn how to use coriander and treat many diseases, watch the following video.

Coriander has been known for a long time. Its other name is cilantro. This is one of the few plants that is eaten whole. People use the seeds, greens and roots of coriander. This is the result high content nutrients and unpretentiousness of the plant. Coriander, or cilantro, can grow in high mountain areas, which is why it is popular in the Caucasus, Southeast Asia, as well as Mexico and Peru. In this article we will look at the benefits of coriander and its uses.

Uses of coriander

The name cilantro is most often used to refer to the green coriander. It is successfully added to salads and soups, and used as a seasoning when preparing meat and other hot dishes. Cilantro is used in food in its raw form. It is added to hot dishes a few minutes before serving. Dishes with coriander have a distinct taste and a wonderful spicy aroma.

Coriander seeds are dried before use. Sometimes they are used whole, but more often they are ground into powder. However, it is worth remembering that ground coriander quickly loses its aroma. So grind dried seeds coriander is recommended immediately before use. They are usually added as a seasoning to hot meat and fish dishes. Coriander is also used industrially in the production of sausages, cheeses and salads.

Coriander roots are also very popular for food use, especially in Southeast Asia. They have a less pronounced taste and smell than coriander leaves. For use in food, they are dried and ground. This allows you to add it as a seasoning with various sauces, which go well with meat and fish.

Benefits of coriander

In addition to use in the kitchen and Food Industry Coriander essential oil is widely used in the cosmetics and perfume industries and soap making. Coriander fruits are of particular value. They contain a large amount of essential oils. Coriander leaves contain a complex useful microelements and vitamins such as vitamin A, PP, B1, B2 and vitamin C. Coriander has strong vascular strengthening properties due to the content of large amounts of ascorbic acid and rutin. It may be useful for varicose veins. Cilantro also has a good effect on the formation of red blood cells and helps cope with anemia.

Summer salad with coriander

Ingredients:

  • cucumber – 2 pcs;
  • tomato – 1 piece;
  • garlic – 1 clove;
  • olive oil;
  • green onion – 1 small bunch;
  • coriander greens - a few leaves.

Preparation

Chop the vegetables, chop the garlic, chop the herbs. Add cilantro. There is an opinion that when preparing salads, it is better to tear greens into as small pieces as possible by hand. This allows useful substances phytoncides remain in products. When chopping greens with a knife, most of them evaporate.

So simple summer salad will become in a great way recharge your immune system. Olive oil contains a loading dose that helps fight oxidation processes in the body and prevents aging. Cucumbers and tomatoes contain a lot of fiber and dietary fiber. This helps normalize the digestion process and improve intestinal function. Garlic and cilantro contain a large amount of phytoncides. It has now been scientifically proven that volatile phytoncides can fight not only bacteria, but also viruses. They can be a good preventative measure during a flu epidemic. This property of cilantro has been well known since ancient times. This is what made coriander seasoning so popular for use in food. In addition to the fact that it has an unusual smell and gives dishes an exquisite aroma, coriander helps to activate the body's defenses.

Known to many, the frequently used seasoning coriander is considered a universal spice. Since ancient times, it has been used not only by culinary specialists, but also by doctors. This plant is also called cilantro, and all its parts are used. You just need to understand in which case which one is needed.

What is coriander

Coriander seasoning is an annual crop, which is the long herbaceous shoots of the umbrella family. When grown, it is used in its entirety, including roots, seeds and green shoots. The above-ground part, which begins to grow in early spring, is better known as cilantro. Greens have a specific spicy smell; they are added to salads and served with meat. Coriander seeds are round in shape up to 3-4 mm in diameter, color from light brown to greenish (as in the photo).

Coriander - beneficial properties

What are the benefits of coriander, what has gained and maintained such popularity? Regardless of which part of the plant is eaten, a person will receive a balanced combination of microelements, vitamins, organic acids, without having any calorie content. Calcium, potassium, zinc, iodine, iron, magnesium, selenium, vitamins PP, C, A, B1, B2 are well perceived and absorbed by the body.

Cooking with this spice and its other uses should be careful, as there are contraindications. Here are the main beneficial properties that help you understand: coriander - what it is and why the seasoning is popular:

  1. essential oils contained in large quantities in the seeds have medicinal and bactericidal properties;
  2. the entire digestive system is stimulated;
  3. the green part helps burn subcutaneous fat;
  4. due to its diuretic properties, swelling is quickly removed;
  5. is a good detoxifier;
  6. Metabolism accelerates, blood sugar normalizes.

Coriander in cooking

The use of the plant in cooking is considered waste-free. Dividing it into main parts, you can use any of them for their intended purpose:

  • Young green leaves and stems are used in cooking for preparing meat, soups, and salads. The spice is especially popular among men in the Caucasus and Asian countries: cilantro is added to barbecue, khinkali, and kebab (as in the photo).
  • Among other spices, coriander seeds are used in cooking in cuisines all over the world. Ground composition used in the production of cheeses, sausages, bread, confectionery, sauces. Aromatic grains give a special smell to alcoholic liqueurs and tinctures.
  • The seeds, ground to powder, are the basis for curry seasoning. They turn out especially delicious savory dishes from Beijing, red cabbage if you add a little aromatic spice. Pickled vegetables will vary exquisite taste, if seeds are added there.
  • The dried root has an odor similar to the leaves, but is less pungent. Ground rhizomes as a seasoning are widely and tasty used in Thai dishes.

Coriander seasoning - application

Besides cooking, the cilantro plant is widely used for other purposes. Coriander seasoning - the use of which is reflected in industrial medicine, is a valuable component in the production of medicines to improve the taste of tablets. By stimulating the work of the intestines and stomach, essential oils envelop the mucous surface, creating antiseptic protection against bacteria. How to prepare decoctions so as not to harm? Use in large quantities is not recommended because it may cause intoxication or stress on the kidneys.

In this regard, one of the contraindications is its use during pregnancy. For women who have problems with the menstrual cycle, gynecologists advise drinking a decoction of cilantro seeds. For bleeding gums, weak vascular tone, and inflammatory processes on the skin, traditional medicine recipes based on spices will help. Since the grains have a spicy aroma, the plant is used in perfumery to create perfumes or before preparing toilet soap.

How to replace coriander If you have contraindications for health reasons, it will be useful to know what you can replace coriander with, how to prepare a tasty dish in order to accurately reproduce all the shades of aroma. You can use cumin, which has a similar aroma. However, if you don’t know what coriander looks like, you should not confuse it with parsley (as in the photo), which is used in cooking as a complement to, and not a replacement for, cilantro.

Video: coriander - what kind of plant is it

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