Coriander (Coriandum sativum)

Coriander is an annual plant belonging to the parsley family.

Coriander seed is the dried, ripe fruit of the plant. It has a mild sweet, slightly pungent, citrus-like flavour and is available whole or as a ground spice. The flavour of coriander leaf is strong, pungent and earthy, quite different from coriander seed. The two are not interchangeable. Coriander leaf is also known as Cilantro or Chinese Parsley.

Coriander leaf complements chicken, fish, rice and tomatoes while coriander seed is particularly suited to pork, vegetables, chutney and pickles. Both forms of coriander are used extensively in curries.