Coriander Seeds

Spanish: Culantro
French: Corriandre
German: Koriander
Swedish: Koriander
Arabic: Kuzhbare
Dutch: Koriander
Portuguese: Coentro
Russian: Koriandr
Japanese: Koendoro
Chinese: Hu-sui

Name in international languages

Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativam L.
Family Name: Apiaceae
Commercial Part: Leaf and seed

Among one of the first spices used by mankind, Coriander seeds, is the seed of Coriandrum sativum, which belongs to the parsley family. The coriander seeds are almost round in shape and brown to yellowish red in color.

It is a fragrant spice, with a mild, distinctive taste. It is widely used as a condiment in foods, beverages, marinades, desserts and sweet pastries and American cigarettes. It is also valued for its medicinal properties.

A native of the Mediterranean, coriander is the dried ripe fruit of an annual herb with several branches and serrated leaves. The name 'coriander' is based on the Greek work 'kopis' which means 'bug'. The whole plant, when freshly bruised, gives out a peculiarly strong, rather obnoxious odour similar to that associated with bugs. Happily, when the plant grows and matures, these disagreeable traits are wholly lost and the ripe fruits are completely free from them. A fragrant spice, coriander is today valued as much for its medicinal properties as for its use as a condiment. It finds extensive application in several kinds of foods, beverages, liquors and perfumes. Coriander requires full exposure to sunlight but with less heat and medium-to-heavy loamy soil, good drainage and well-distributed moisture. Since many parts of India meets all these conditions, coriander is a thriving crop in this country. Since the Indian farmers prefer organic cultivation, the quality is good. The major producers of Indian coriander are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Madhya Pradesh. The main importers are USA, the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Middle East. Besides coriander as such, India also exports its powder and essential oil.

The seeds are used in curries, curry powder, pickles, sausages, soups, stews and ratatouille.

Coriander Seeds are greenish-brown in color and have a strong aroma. It is extensively used in curry powders and adds a nice flavor to it. Coriander seeds are an essential part of the curry powder & various spice blends in India. Coriander has many medicinal values & it promotes natural healing. It also used in several kinds of foods, beverages, liquors & perfumes. Producing states are Rajasthan.

Coriander Seeds are greenish-brown in color and have a strong aroma. It is extensively used in curry powders...