Coriander - Seeds

Coriander

Coriander, also known as \"Chinese Parsley\", is a plant often used in cooking, especially as a spice for traditional Indian and Oriental dishes in general. 

Its name \"coriander\" comes from a Latin term \"Coriandrum\" which indicates the unpleasant smell that emanates until the period of fruit ripening, similar to that of bedbugs. For this reason its plant also known as, cimicina grass.

Despite this, not everyone knows, however, how its properties make it one of the most used natural remedies in herbal medicine. It is a herbaceous plant of the Apiaceae family, therefore a distant relative of fennel, parsley, dill and so on. With leaves very similar to parsley. This plant is characterized by white flowers with an umbrella arrangement, while the fruits are strongly aromatic seeds. 

Its seeds are spherical, light brown in color and very fragrant. They are one of the most important spices of Indian cuisine and are becoming increasingly popular in the West. 

The taste of fresh coriander is spicy while the fruits are sweetish with limoncino aftertaste. Even the leaves have a spicy taste that can thus transfer a pungent but fresh aroma to foods and recipes.

Let\'s see the use of coriander in different countries:

- In Morocco coriander is used in marinades and meat fillings while in Egypt it is combined with legumes.

- In the East, on the other hand, the leaves, thanks to the very strong smell, are used to flavor salads and soups; in Sri Lanka this aromatic herb is also used together with honey, to relieve cough

- In Central Europe , coriander seeds flavor game, pickles and brines, vegetables and mushrooms: in the Balkans coriander is appreciated for flavoring bread, fruit and some sweets.

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Coriander, as already mentioned, is a plant with multiple therapeutic effects: it is carminative, antispasmodic and stomachic, it is therefore a good natural remedy against abdominal colic, digestive difficulties and swelling.

Properties and Benefits

Among the wonderful benefits of these seeds we find the ability to act, on our body, as a powerful diuretic. This allows us to cleanse our body, maintain the feeling of satiety for as long as possible, eliminating toxins and freeing us from residues. With coriander you can prepare a digestive infusion , effective and aromatic flavor. 

Just put 2 grams of coriander seeds in 100ml of boiling water for a few minutes. A couple of tablespoons after meals will be enough to promote digestion and the elimination of intestinal gas.

All these beneficial effects also favor an aid for the weight loss of our body, which is why many people resort to coriander seeds frequently. 

Inside the coriander seeds we find numerous nutrients: Vitamin A-B-C, phosphorus, potassium, iron, calcium, zinc... and many more. All these beneficial elements allow you to consider coriander a real natural anti-inflammatory. 

Like mint, coriander is also able to fight bad breath (bad breath) and other oral health problems, such as thrush, ulcers and sores. In fact, its antibacterial properties help eliminate the agents that create these annoyances.

Very well known is the essential oil, obtained by grinding coriander seeds. It strives for perfumes and incense, and also, thanks to its intense aroma, to correct and cover the unwelcome taste and smell of certain medicinal products.

Coriander in the kitchen

The seeds of coriander are used to prepare some digestive liqueurs , flavor German and Scandinavian pickles , Balkan bread and certain Anglo-Saxon sweets . Excellent ground on vegetables (especially cabbage, but also zucchini and tomatoes), legumes and rice. They then give a delicious flavor to biscuits and cakes, especially if in association with other spices, such as anise and cinnamon.

These small seeds are inserted as ingredients of different masalas (ie spice mixtures) of Indian cuisine, among which the curry powder stands out, which is now well known and used in recipes all over the world.

Even the sauces are delicious if flavored with aromas and it is in fact the case of the coriander sauce, perfect to accompany meatballs or pork ribs to be cooked on the grill.

Coriander sauce 

Ingredients:

- 1 tablespoon of salt;

- 1 tablespoon of paprika;

- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander;

- 2 teaspoons of crushed black pepper;

- 2 teaspoons of mustard powder;

- 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar;

- A pinch of cayenne pepper;

- Extra virgin olive oil to taste

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and emulsify them with 120 m of oil. Let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes so that the sauce is flavored and then brush it on the meatballs to be baked in the oven, on the pork ribs to be cooked on the grill or on any of your other dishes.

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