The Super Spice – Coriander Powder and its Manifold Uses

by Avadhesh Sharma SEO Analyst

Coriander a native of the regions stretching from Southern Europe and Northern Africa to Southwestern Asia is a very soft plant which grows to a height of only 50 cm. The leaves act as an herb used in cooking while its seeds and stems are also used.

An annual herb, belonging to the Apiaceae family, coriander is also known as Chinese parsley, dhania in India and cilantro in America but a Spanish term because of its rampant use in Mexican cuisine. The plant predominantly used in cooking both as fresh and dried in the form of dried seeds which can be used whole or as crushed into powder. Every part of the plant is edible- nothing goes to waste.

Uses of the Coriander Plant

There are various uses of the coriander plant. The leaves, seeds and roots are also used in a variety of ways all around the globe.

Leaves

Its leaves also referred to as Chinese parsley, dhania or cilantro has a strong aroma which when used for cooking imparts a distinct smell and flavour which the dish a pleasant taste. The leaves are mainly eaten as fresh.

Apart from being an ingredient in cooking, the leaves can be used to prepare chutneys, salads, salsa guacamole and as a garnish for soup, fish and meat. Heat decreases the flavour of the leaves, so it is often added raw or just immediately before serving.

Indian and Central Asian recipes require a lot of coriander in their cooking so they are used in large amounts and cooked till its flavour is almost nonexistent. The leaves tend to rot fast when removed from the plant and they lose their aroma when dried or frozen.

Seeds

As can be seen from the usage of the leaves and its importance, it is now to be seen that the seeds are of no less importance. The dry fruits of the plant are utilized and consumed as coriander seeds. When the word “coriander” is used in cooking it signifies the seeds crushed to form Coriander Powder or as a spice. The seeds are depicted as warm, nutty, spicy and orange-flavoured.

The seeds are completely ground to Coriander Powder and blended in the spice industry. Another variety of the coriander plant produces a seed which is used as raw material in the preparation of essential oils.

The coriander seeds are widely found either as whole dried seeds or in ground form known as Coriander Powder. Its flavour, aroma and pungency intensify with dry roasting or heating in a pan for a few seconds to a few minutes. As the ground form quickly loses flavour, it is best used freshly ground.

Coriander Powder is an ingredient of garam masalas and Indian curries where it is used in generous amounts together with cumin which acts as a thickener in gravies. The roasted version of the Coriander Powder is used to sprinkle on snacks and as a garnish also. Its large-scale usage has prompted Coriander Powder Suppliers in India to do good business with it.

The seeds are very extensively used in a variety of ways but all as Coriander Powder. It is used for pickling, making sausages, rye bread and sometimes as a condiment in meat.

Where to Find the Powder

Coriander powder can be procured in every part of globe because of a countless number of Coriander Powder Exporters in Gujarat which is fast growing economically and becoming the business hub of Eastern India.