Coriander - pot ø13 cm (Coriandrum sativum)

Coriander is native to the Middle East and Mediterranean countries. It belongs to the umbellifer family and is related to chervil and parsley. It is an annual plant that grows 40 to 70 cm high. The stems of the plant are firm and ribbed. The leaves are pinnate and closely resemble leaf parsley. They have a strong smell that has been described as a mixture of sage, parsley and lemon. However, cilantro is not liked by all people, some describing the taste as a "soap taste".The plant blooms in mid-summer with a screen of tiny white to reddish flowers.The seeds of cilantro closely resemble pepper balls and are also used in cooking.

CULTIVATION TIPS:
Coriander prefers a place in full sun and grows best in a lightly calcareous and humus-rich soil. The plant also likes an airy soil. Regularly loosening the soil around the plant (and weeding it) stimulates growth. If you only use the leaves, you can grow the plant in a pot. If you also want to harvest the seeds, planting in full soil is necessary. Keep a close eye on the seeds before harvesting and harvest before they fall to the ground.Cut the screens when the seeds turn brown and their aroma hangs in the air. Hang them upside down or stick them in a paper bag for a few days until the seeds fall off.

CULINARY:
Both the fresh leaves and the seeds can be used in cooking. Fresh coriander leaves are frequently used in especially Indian, but also Chinese and Arabic dishes. The flavor suits both sweet and spicy dishes. Use coriander in savory dishes, chicken dishes, salads, sauces or couscous. However, taste your preparations in time, the flavor can quickly become overpowering. Fresh coriander leaves can be frozen, they retain their flavor but will lose their fresh green color and turn dark. When dried, it loses its flavor. Coriander seeds have a different taste than the fresh leaves. They taste rather slightly spicy, wee-sweet, anise-like (a little orangey). The seed can be ground or bruised, incorporated into such things as game patties, cookies, curry dishes and oriental dishes. Ground coriander seed (ketoembar) is a component of, among other things, spice, curry powder and pickling spices (the whole seeds).

MEDICINAL:
Fresh cilantro is healthy and contains a lot of vitamin A. Coriander is useful for mild gastrointestinal problems. It promotes appetite, prevents bloating and reduces stomach burning. The crushed seeds work well externally, as a poultice, on painful joints.