Coriander seed is considered by many to be one of the most nutritious herbs in the world. In India, it is the national herb of choice. Internationally, it is another story. Coriander is simply the common name for both the stalks and leaves of this aromatic plant, while the powdered seeds are usually called coriander seeds or cilantro. To prevent confusion, the remainder of this article will focus on the medicinal leaves and stems of this perennial herb, while the unprocessed seeds and the resulting cilantro are referred to as coriander.
Coriander, historically served as an anti-inflammatory and cooling agent. The upper levels of this herb are considered bitter, with higher concentrations found in the deeper green leaves. As a mild cooling agent, the upper levels of this herb are used in many recipes today, including mints, dips, pickles, juices, sauces, mustard, pickled food, and even pickled garlic.
Because of its bitter taste, coriander seeds are commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes where the flavor has a very strong accent. They are most commonly used in soups, curries, stir-fry, stews, and chili. In these dishes, the bitter taste is masked by a sharp, tangy taste of the onions, spices, or herbs used in the dishes. Sometimes they are even used as a primary flavor in desserts, such as ice cream and sorbet. Although their bitter taste is commonly used in Indian cuisine, people outside of the Indian culture seem to be less likely to include coriander seeds in their diets.
Because of their peppery and hot flavor, cumin is commonly added to Indian and Middle Eastern dishes to enhance the flavor of the curry powder. Cumin is available throughout the year in different parts of Mexico. A common way to incorporate the spice into Mexican cuisine is to grind the seeds and add the powder to rice, salads, pasta, or stewed vegetables. Other ways to use cumin in Mexican cuisine is to fry meats that are traditionally made with coriander seeds, such as pinto beans, skirt steak, chicken fried steak, and brisket, or in corn tortillas, tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-style dishes. The spice can also be ground to create a flavor-free hot dog roll or to make mild and delicious black bean soup.
Coriander Seeds are also used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat hypoglycemia, a condition in which one's blood sugar levels are too high. Blood sugar levels in the body can drop dangerously low after eating meals rich in starch, which are digested slowly in the small intestines. This causes the body to manufacture too much insulin to help break down the glucose in food. Treatments using coriander seeds have been found successful in treating hypoglycemic patients, even in people without diabetes.
In addition to using coriander seeds for treating conditions such as hypoglycemia and diabetes, Indian curry powders are beneficial for preventing diabetes. curry powder contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps in the production of serotonin, a chemical in the body that can reduce depression and anxiety. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that regulates appetite, energy levels, mood, and other aspects of the body. Tryptophan, found in turkey, certain types of cheese, milk, meat, mushrooms, and other foods, is believed to provide protection against the development of diabetes.
Coriander and whole seeds can be used in many Indian and Middle Eastern curries recipes, including chicken kebabs, falafel, and hummus. Parsley is sometimes added to these dishes to add flavor and nutrients to the ingredients. The oils from the seeds of coriander can be mixed with different types of seasonings to make a marinade, or used in the same recipe but without the added oil. This makes the seeds versatile and allows the cook to adjust their nutrient content for any dish.
In India, the herb is known as Ananas leaves the plant. The small yellow flowers, also known as coriander, grow in abundance during the summers. The flower petals of this herb have been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb. It has a stimulating effect on the blood and can relieve cold symptoms such as cough, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, sore gums, etc. Indian dishes using coriander are filled with this powerful and nutritious spice.
