Coriander Seeds

Do you know the reason why you either love or hate cilantro?
Nope.. you are not being a picky eater… there may be a genetic reason…

Some people enjoy cilantro to be lemony fresh and bright, I am one of them 😊 while others get a very undesirable, soapy smell or taste.
This huge difference in opinion may be in the genes.

But the good news is that our opinion about cilantro can change over time. Basically, you can desensitize these genes but crushing the cilantro leaves before eating them (for example, in a pesto). This process releases enzymes that convert the soapy compounds into milder ones.

Cilantro also known as coriander comes from coriander seeds. Coriander seeds come from the pink and mauve flowers of a delicate plant that looks like parsley.

Although native to Iran, coriander grows wild over a wide area of Western Asia and southern Europe. It is very difficult to know exactly where this plant is wild and where it recently established itself.

Coriander seeds are widely used in sweet and savory dishes in all cuisines around the world - in Europe, India, Latin America, Mexico, North Africa, and the Middle East.

• In Europe, the French flavor cheese with coriander. It’s also the flavoring in the French liqueur Chartreuse.
• It is a key ingredient in the Spanish hot sausage chorizo.
• Coriander is one of the most popular spices in Indian cuisine and is a key ingredient in all forms of curry spice mixes. Indians use the entire plant—seed, root, stem, and leaf—to make chutneys and sauces.
• In Java, an island of Indonesia, both coriander and cilantro are rubbed into satay, a meat dish.
• Moroccans rub the ground seeds into meat and put them in couscous, stews, and salads.
• Coriander is a key ingredient in North African spice blends, including baharat, tabil, and ras-el-hanout.
• In Yemen, cooks mix coriander with dried fruits, green chilies, and other spices to make a condiment called jhoug, which is also popular as a dip.
• It is also used to flavor Turkish coffee.
• Mexicans make liberal use of cilantro—in salsa, to make a hard sugar candy called colaciones, and in bread pudding.

1. Coriander fights food poisoning
Numerous studies suggest that coriander is one of the many herbs that have strong antimicrobial effects against food-borne pathogens. When you use it in your cooking, you not only add flavor and aroma, you also add an additional layer of protection against the risk of food poisoning. An antibacterial compound that coriander has may specifically fight against salmonella. Since salmonella is responsible for 1 million food-borne illnesses in the U.S. every year, adding coriander in cooking can guard you against uncomfortable or even fatal food poisoning.

2. Coriander improves Thyroid Conditions
Thyroid gland is extremely important for our body as it is involved in many metabolic processes in the body. It produces hormones Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine which help in regulating the metabolism and growth of the body. When there is an imbalance of hormone production in the body, the person faces thyroid problems. To control thyroid problems like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism including coriander seeds in daily diet is very beneficial.
Coriander seeds can aid in hormone regulation with the help of its rich level of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

3. Coriander is traditionally used for various digestive disorders
Coriander in any form is very effective in the treatment of digestive complaints, loss of appetite, bloating, flatulence, and cramp-like stomach upsets, acidity, heartburn indigestion, flatulence, gastric issues etc..

Coriander also helps women with menstrual problems: It reduces heavy menstrual flow. It helps regulate bleeding. The high iron content of coriander seeds will help replace the blood, thus improving energy levels.

Coriander also stimulates the production of insulin thus maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. It decreases the amount of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases the amount of HDL (good cholesterol) in the blood. People with diabetes and high cholesterol issues should drink coriander water daily.

Consuming metabolism-increasing and fat-burning food, helps lose weight. Coriander seeds have these amazing qualities.

• Add whole or ground seeds to stews, casseroles, marinades, vinaigrettes, and pickled dishes.

• Coarsely grind coriander and rub it into meats or fish before cooking.

• Mix coriander seeds with peppercorns in the peppermill you use at the stove.

• Make a classic Moroccan rub: mix coriander with garlic, butter, and paprika and rub it on lamb before roasting.

• Sprinkle coriander on sautéed mushrooms.

• Add ground coriander toward the end of steaming rice or couscous.

• Add whole seeds to chicken casseroles.

1. For all health issues make coriander tea or coriander water mix, boil 3 tbsp of soaked coriander seeds (soaked for minimum 3 hours) in a glass of water till it reduces to half. Strain the water and drink it twice daily. It’ll enhance your digestion and immunity, helping lose weight.
2. Mix 2-parts rock sugar and 1-part coriander seeds powder and eat 1 tsp daily twice a day for all the above health benefits.
3. Ultimate home remedy for kids cough, lightly roast and make powder of coriander seeds. Add honey to it and make the kid lick ½ tsp twice a day till cough disappears.
4. For women with excessive menstrual flow drinking water boiled with coriander seeds.