Coriander is also called the Chinese parsley, Sabut Dhania, or cilantro. But in more specific terms, cilantro refers to coriander. The seeds from that plant are what we know as coriander seeds. All the parts of the coriander plant are edible; the leaves and seeds. They can both be used whether fresh or dried in cooking.
Ground coriander is made from whole coriander seeds that have been dried before being ground into powder. It is a spice that cannot be too hard to find in many Indian households. But it has also found use in the cuisines of several cultures, especially in more modern times.
What does ground coriander taste like? Ground coriander has a very unique taste. Most times, when used in cooking, it embraces the flavor of the dish you are adding it to, making it a bit hard to single out. Ground coriander would fall into the warm, but sweet spice category. It brings a sweet, nutty, smoky, and woody undertone to dishes.
Ground coriander is even used as a basic ingredient for many other spices to create different blends and mixes. Its versatility and the way it adapts to whatever culinary measure you want to use it for, has made it a spice you can’t do without in your kitchen.
Nutritional Benefits of Ground Coriander
Ground coriander has a lesser vitamin content than coriander leaves (cilantro) but it has significant amounts of dietary fiber, selenium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and manganese.
Ground coriander has a lot of nutritional benefits it can offer the body. For example, it is very good at lowering blood sugar levels. It is so effective that people with low blood sugar or on diabetes medication should take caution when using ground coriander in the food. It can be taken by people with type-2 diabetes in place of medication. Animal studies have found that coriander does this so well by promoting the enzyme activity that helps to remove sugar from the blood.
Coriander also contains several antioxidants that can protect cells in the body from radical damage. Radical damage is caused by the build-up of oxidative stress in the body. These antioxidants are terpinene, quercetin, and tocopherols. From studies carried out, they might be capable of slowing the growth of certain kinds of cancer and have immune-boosting and neuroprotective effects. More studies have also found that these antioxidants can reduce inflammation in the body.
Coriander might be able to protect brain health and reduce the risk of diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Multiple sclerosis from occurring. It is also possible that the continuous consumption of coriander can help improve memory and manage anxiety. It might also be able to reduce the occurrence of drug-induced seizures and nerve-cell damage.
Coriander seeds contain dietary fiber that can help promote a healthy gut and accelerate digestion. It can help ease irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and act as an appetite stimulant. It also contains antimicrobial compounds that can help fight off infections, especially the bacteria that causes (Urinary Tract Infection) and foodborne illnesses like Salmonella.
Culinary Uses of Ground Coriander
Ground coriander is very versatile especially because it is in powdered form. It goes well with almost all the spices, and pairs with almost any food. When compared to coriander seeds, ground coriander has a much mellow flavor. Like many other spices, it is used in marinades or rubs and can also be integrated into soups or stews. It can be added midway during the cooking process so that the flavors can merge with what you have cooking.
Ground coriander has found the most use in Indian cooking, especially curry. But it is also well known in Mexican and Latin American foods. Ground coriander can never feel out of place in salsa or homemade guacamole. In Egyptian cuisine, it is combined with other spices to make the Egyptian dukkah or garam masala. It is also combined with spices like fennel, cumin, and cinnamon.
In a Chinese stir fry, ground coriander always features, because it tempers the heat of the spicy peppers in the mix and enhances the flavor profile of the fried meats you have in there. It has found use in the famous Vietnamese streetside pho, it helps to provide a sense of texture to these soups.
You can also use ground coriander in Thai curries, to add a depth of flavor to them. Lastly, ground coriander can be used as an all-purpose spice rub for your fish or any kind of meat.
What is the Origin of Ground Coriander? How to Procure It?
Coriander grows in the wild over a wide area in Western Asia and Southern Europe. It is hard to pinpoint exactly where it grows specifically. The word coriander is a derivation from the old French word coriandre. This word has Latin roots and comes from the Latin word Coriandrum. It was adapted to the English vocabulary in the 14th century.
According to history, it seems that coriander has been cultivated in Greece for as far back as the second millennium. One of the tablets recovered from Pylos describes the species of this plant as one cultivated for the production of perfumes. Ground coriander loses its flavor quickly and is best only when it was just grounded fresh.
Ground coriander is usually available at the grocery store or any Indian store around. You should be able to find them in the spice section of any store.
What Spice is Similar to Ground Coriander?
The best substitutes for ground coriander would be garam masala, cumin, caraway, and curry powder.
Facts You Don’t Know About Ground Coriander
- The scientific name for the coriander plant is Coriandrum sativum.
- Some people are allergic to coriander, in different cases, it can be minor or life-threatening. If you haven’t had it before, be sure you are not allergic to it.