Description

Coriander is the dried fruit of an annual herb, with several branches and serrated leaves. The small flowers yield green globular fruits, which turn yellowish brown when ripe. The seeds are picked when the ripening is in progress and sun-dried. Coriander is pleasantly aromatic and flavorful. This fragrant spice is used for sauces and as a condiment. The fresh young leaves of this herb is used to flavour and garnish soups,salads and meat dishes. The dry fruits are known as coriander seeds or coriandi seeds. The word coriander in food preparation may refer solely to these seeds (as a spice), rather than to the plant itself. The seeds have a lemony citrus flavour when crushed, due to terpenes linalool and pinene. It is described as warm, nutty, spicy, and orange flavored.