Although the garden herb cilantro is frequently used in making salsas, the entire cilantro plant is quite edible….and….not just for use in salsas! From the roots, to the slender leafy plant, to the flowers and seeds, the different parts of the cilantro herb have a distinctively different taste and use. The seeds of the cilantro herb are not called “cilantro seeds” but are named the herb “coriander”. Often the names are used synonymously, though cilantro is commonly referring to the herb plant leaves and coriander to the herb seeds. When using cilantro or coriander in recipes they are not interchangeable, do not substitute one for the other, the flavors of the seed and plant are very different.
Cilantro (corriandrum sativum), often times called “Chinese parsley”, does look like the parsley plant and can be confused on looks alone when purchasing or growing in your garden. They do not smell or taste the same so beware when purchasing or picking! In culinary uses, the plant leaves are used in salsas, curry dishes, guacamoles and many other Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. The leaves are best served fresh from the garden as they tend to lose flavor when frozen or dried. The seeds of the cilantro herb – coriander, are often used in teas as a remedy for colds and you will taste then in pickling applications, sausages and in some brewed beers.
The roots are edible and often used in Thai cuisine. Nothing goes to waste when growing and harvesting the cilantro herb. Cilantro is easy to cultivate and grows wild over a good portion of southern Europe and western Asia. In an outdoor herb garden, Cilantro will germinate in about 7 days with the plant reaching maturity and ready for harvest in about 8 weeks. Cilantro plants will flower and go to seed if the soil temperature reaches above 75 degrees. In the warmer climates the cilantro plant cultivates better in the spring and fall when the temperatures are more moderate. Considered an annual herb plant, if left to go to seed, Cilantro will propagate in a continuous crop. Cilantro is also an ideal indoor garden herb plant. Grown outdoors in the outdoor herb garden, or indoors in containers, cilantro is a “must have” in your herb garden!
Sandra is a gardening enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get the best out of their herb garden designs. Her newest book, teaches gardeners everything they need to know about starting, maintaining and getting the most out of their herb garden designs. For more great information on herb gardens, visit http://www.secretstogrowingherbs.com. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/did-you-think-cilantro-was-only-used-in-salsa-1646938.html