Coriander Seeds

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Coriander Seeds

Coriander Seeds
© Denzil Green

If Coriander plants are allow to flower, and pass through a normal life cycle, they produce small, round crunchy seeds that taste totally different from the plant, which is used as an herb. And unlike fresh Coriander, which should be added at the end of cooking as its flavour will disappear otherwise, the flavour of the seeds is not impacted by cooking. They taste somewhat like citrus peel.

Recipes will call for them either whole or ground. Many people advise you to grind them as you need them, as the ground tends to lose its flavour quickly, and they are right about that. But when you're slinging together 8 different Indian dishes for a dinner, can you really be asked to stop the presses and grind 1/2 teaspoon of flippin' seeds? Better just to buy small amounts of ground Coriander Seed, use as needed, and when it's become a scentless powder, pitch it and buy more.

Ground coriander seed

Ground coriander seed
- © Denzil Green

Ground Coriander is used to make a popular Indian spice mix, called Garum Masala.

While the plant can be called either cilantro or coriander, the seeds are always referred to as Coriander Seeds, never cilantro seeds.

Cooking Tips for Coriander Seeds

Ground Coriander is actually quite nice in apple pie.

Equivalents for Coriander Seeds

1/4 cup coriander seeds = 4 tablespoons = 1/2 oz (15g)

Storage Hints for Coriander Seeds

Store in sealed container out of the light.

History Notes for Coriander Seeds

Coriander Seeds have been used for millennia in Asia and in the Mediterranean. Coriander Seeds were found in the tomb of Ramses the Second.
Recipe Suggestions

Also called:
Semilla de cilantro (Spanish); Dhaniya (Indian)