Cilantro/Coriander
Cilantro and Coriander are a bonus in the herb world: they are both derived from the same plant. In fact, the coriander plant is one of the few plants that grows both an herb and a spice. Cilantro, also known as coriander leaves or Chinese Parsley refers to the leaves of the plant, while Coriander refers to the seeds. Both the seeds and the leaves have distinctive flavors all their own.
Adult plants grow up to 2 feet tall with many feather leaves from each stalk.
Coriander has been used by a variety of cultures to flavor breads, soups, and a variety of other dishes. Cultures such as ancient Egyptians, Romans, and early settlers of North America.
Growing the Coriander/Cilantro plant
The coriander plant is relatively easy to grow in many types of home gardens. It is gereally recommended to grow coriander in an outdoor garden. The root systems are deep, and many pots do not allow for sufficient space for root development.
You can purchase seeds or existing plants form a local nursery. Seeds should be planted in rows 4 to 6 inches apart and lightly covered with a rich topsoil. Water the seeds gently after planting. Coriander may take up to 21 days to germinate. Once the plants germinate, they should be thinned to allow for 8 to 10 inches in between for healthy, full growth.
Coriander plant prefer a milder climate, without too much heat or cold. If you live in warm climate, it may be better to grow the plants early or late in the season to avoid the hottest months of the year.
Once coriander is started outdoors, it should not be transplanted to a pot. Transplanting will cause the
Harvesting Coriander/Cilantro
To harvest the tastiest cilantro leaves, wait until the plants are mature, and snip the stems from the base of the plant. You will know the leaves are ready when they are a light green color. These will provide the fullest and richest flavor from this herb.
The seeds of the coriander plant may be harvested from the fruit that grows from the branches. Each fruit contains 2 seeds.
