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Cilantro vs Coriander: Difference, Facts And Health Benefits

There so much confusion on this one plant. Let's find out why?

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The most confusing herbs are cilantro and coriander. While both come from the same plant, they have distinctive uses and tastes. Cilantro and coriander originate from the plant species Coriandrum sativum.

It is the leaves and stems of the coriander plant and when the plant blossoms and turns seed, the seeds are called coriander seeds. Cilantro is also the Spanish word for coriander. Fresh cilantro is popular in many Asian and Mexican dishes.

While in the United States you can find fresh cilantro chopped up in a salad, or sprinkled on top of pretty much anything, in most of the rest of the English-speaking countries, an herb called Chinese Parsley or Coriander adds the same taste to popular Asian dishes like soups and curries. At most grocery stores it will be labeled as cilantro or coriander leaves.

For most of us, these two ingredients have always appeared to add the same fresh, citrusy flavor to anything they are thrown into. So why do they have separate names?

Cilantro vs Coriander

Many people either love cilantro or dislike it. Those who dislike it find the flavor soapy, acrid or pungent. If you love it, the flavor is aromatic and citrusy with a slight peppery tone.
Use cilantro in dishes like salsa, spreads, pasta and noodles, and more.

It’s best to add the chopped leaves at the last or at the end of cooking. Once you’ve used all the leaves with stems, don’t throw the bottom stems. You can finely mince them, too, or use them in marinades, brines, or poaching liquid. Fresh cilantro root is also edible and is used in many Thai dishes.

The only bummer with cilantro is that it doesn’t stay fresh for a very long period. It’s best to store a bunch, place them, stem side down in a mason jar with about two inches of water. Loosely cover the leaves with plastic wrap. It will keep about 5 days.

Coriander seeds are like tiny circular beads with ridges. They are used whole in pickling recipes or crushed and used in many other recipes including curries, rice dishes, and soups. Coriander flavor tends more toward the warm spice category like cinnamon with nutty nuances. To intensify the flavor of coriander seeds, toast the seeds first. Place the seeds in a dry pan and heat over medium heat until they become fragrant.

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Nutrition:

Cilantro and coriander are quite different while coming nutrition profiles. Cilantro leaves have much greater levels of vitamins, but lower levels of minerals. Contrarily, coriander seeds have lower levels of vitamins, but far more minerals

It’s worth noting that fresh cilantro is 92.2% water while coriander seeds are only 8.9% water. This is a major reason why cilantro has lower levels of minerals by weight, as the water in cilantro contains no minerals or calories as they come from the same plant, cilantro and coriander have separate nutrient profiles.

Cilantro has greater levels of vitamins, such as vitamins A, K, and E, while coriander is more abundant in minerals like manganese, iron, magnesium, and calcium.

Cilantro vs Coriander

Reduce Inflammation:

Both cilantro and coriander are packed with particles called antioxidants. Antioxidants help to reduce inflammation in the body by binding to and suppressing inflammation-promoting molecules known as free radicals. Certain studies found that the antioxidants in a cilantro extract helped fight skin aging.

Skin aging is often accelerated by free-radical damage. A test-tube study found that the antioxidants in a coriander seed reduced inflammation and restrained the growth of cancer cells from the stomach, prostate, colon, breast, and lungs.

Healthy Heart:

Heart disease is the leading cause of list of death worldwide. Some test-tube studies have shown that cilantro and coriander may reduce several of its risk factors. Studies found that cilantro extract may reduce the formation of blood clots. By diminishing blood clotting, cilantro extract supplements may probably reduce the risk of heart disease.

As per the facts, a coriander seed extract significantly reduced blood pressure. In addition, it encouraged the animals to discharge more water and salt through urine, which further helped reduce blood pressure.

Diabetics:

Both cilantro and coriander seeds may help conquer blood sugar levels. They’re believed to do this by increasing the activity levels of enzymes that help eliminate sugar from the blood.

In one animal study, experts found that animals that received coriander seeds had significantly less sugar in their bloodstreams. In another animal research, cilantro leaves were shown to be nearly as effective as a diabetes medication at reducing blood sugar levels.

Fight Infections:

Studies have found that the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of both cilantro and coriander may help them fight against infections. One study revealed that compounds from fresh cilantro leaves helped fight foodborne infections by killing bacteria such as Salmonella enterica.

Cilantro vs Coriander

Use in cooking:

The different qualities of cilantro and coriander have led people to use them differently in recipes.
Here are some dishes that contain Cilantro:

  • Salsa: A Mexican side dish
  • Guacamole: An avocado-based dip
  • Chutney: A sauce of Indian origin
  • Acorda: A Portuguese bread soup
  • Soups: as a garnish to enhance their flavor

Fresh cilantro is mostly added moments before serving since heat can quickly reduce its flavor.
Here are some dishes that contain Coriander:

  • Curries
  • Rice dishes
  • Soups and Stews
  • Meat Rubs
  • Pickled vegetables
  • Borodinsky bread: Russian originated sourdough rye bread
  • Chana dal: a popular Indian snack

Dry roasting or heating coriander seeds can improve their taste and aroma. Ground or powdered seeds lose their flavor instantly, so they’re best enjoyed fresh.

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