If you're a food lover, you've probably heard the terms cilantro and coriander used interchangeably. This can be confusing because they seem like two different ingredients. Is it the same thing, or two different herbs? This post will provide information on the individual characteristics of both, their uses in cooking, and the health benefits they offer.

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💎 Purpose Of The Blog Post
- It offers an informative guide about the fresh herb cilantro and its plant counterpart, coriander, including their names, family, and culinary uses.
- It clarifies the difference between cilantro and coriander. It also highlights the geographic naming variations.
- It provides a comparison between parsley and cilantro, helping to understand when and how to use each herb based on their distinct characteristics.
- It addresses the health advantages of consuming cilantro and coriander.
- Provides valuable advice on selecting and storing both cilantro leaves and coriander seeds to maintain their freshness and flavor.
🌿 What is Cilantro?
Cilantro is the fresh, leafy herb derived from the coriander plant. Cilantro is the Spanish word for coriander. It's also known by different names like Chinese parsley, Mexican parsley, and Dhania in Hindi.
It belongs to the Apiaceae family and is an annual herb. Cilantro is widely used in many cuisines, such as Mexican, Thai, and Indian.
It has a fragrant and crispy texture and a distinct flavor. Cilantro is often used as a garnish on soups, salads, and tacos. Its delicate flavor can be overpowered by strong spices, so it's best to add it near the end of cooking.
Some people enjoy the taste of cilantro, describing it as citrusy, while others dislike it, describing it as soapy or bitter. In short, it's a love-it-or-hate-it herb.

🌱 What is Coriander?
Coriander, on the other hand, refers to the whole plant of cilantro. It includes the leaves, stems, and seeds. The fresh leaves have a citrusy flavor, while the seeds have a warm, nutty flavor and are commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
They're added whole or ground into powder for dishes like curries and stews. It is also used in pickling, baking, and brewing.
Derived from the Coriandrum sativum plant, both coriander and cilantro have different names depending on the region of the world.
In North America, cilantro refers to the leaves and stalks of the plant, while the dried seeds are called coriander. In other countries, such as the UK and India, the word coriander refers to both the fresh leaves and the seeds of the same plant. To summarize, cilantro refers to the leafy part of the coriander plant, while coriander refers to the seeds.

🆚 Parsley vs Cilantro
These two herbs, both part of the Apiaceae family, have distinct differences and similarities that are worth exploring.
1. Appearance:
Parsley has pointy leaves that can be either curly or flat, while cilantro has rounder leaves with jagged edges. Both are bright green and add a pop of color to any dish, but the resemblance stops there.
2. Taste:
Cilantro has a distinct fresh, spicy-citrusy flavor that is essential to many traditional Mexican, Asian, and Indian dishes. Think guacamole, pico de gallo, or a spicy curry. Parsley, on the other hand, has a milder, herbaceous taste that brightens up almost any recipe. It's a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine and a favorite in tabbouleh salads.
3. Smell:
When it comes to the smell, fresh parsley has a light, earthy scent. It’s almost like smelling freshly cut grass. In contrast, fresh cilantro can be quite pungent and has a strong odor that many either love or hate. The strong smell of cilantro can overpower other ingredients, so it's better to use it in moderation.

🔪 How To Cut Cilantro (Coriander Leaves)
It's not just about chopping; the way you handle this delicate herb can make a real difference in your cooking. Let's look into the best way to cut cilantro to ensure you are making the most of this versatile herb.
- Start with a bunch of cilantro. Give the bunch a quick rinse under cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Lay the bunch on a cutting board and separate the leaves from the stems. The stems can be quite tough and fibrous, so you want to discard them.
- Gather the cilantro leaves into a tight bunch, making sure that the ends are aligned. Hold the bunch tightly in your non-dominant hand.
- With a sharp knife, start cutting the cilantro leaves. Use a rocking motion with the knife and chop the cilantro as finely as you want. The key is to use a sharp knife and not crush the cilantro; otherwise, it'll turn into mush.
- Keep gathering the chopped cilantro and slicing it with a rocking motion until you reach the desired texture. If you want the cilantro to be even finer, you can run the knife over it in a back-and-forth motion to make it even finer.
- Once you're done chopping, transfer the cilantro to a bowl and use it in your dish as desired. If you're not using the cilantro right away, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge. However, cilantro tends to lose its flavor quickly, so try to use it within a day or two.

🥣 Culinary Uses
Cilantro:
- Salsas: Most commonly used to make salsas, add a bunch of cilantro along with tomatoes, onions, and lime for a tangy dip with tortilla chips or grilled meat.
- Chutneys: Use cilantro to create vibrant green chutneys with mint, tamarind, and green chili. Perfect for grilled chicken, fish, or veggies.
- Pestos: Switch up from basil pesto! Blend cilantro, garlic, cashews, parmesan, and olive oil for a creamy paste. Use on pasta, potatoes, or sandwiches.
- Marinades: Enhance meat and seafood marinades with cilantro, cumin, garlic, lime, and olive oil. Ideal for grilling or roasting chicken, shrimp, or fish.
- Dressings: Create simple cilantro dressing by whisking lime juice, honey, olive oil, and chopped cilantro. Drizzle on salads, grain bowls, rice dishes, or roasted veggies.
- Garnishes: Sprinkle cilantro over tacos, soups, and on boiled corn on the cob for a touch of flavor and texture.
🔔 Be sure to check out the recipe card for a cilantro pesto with all the ingredients and instructions you'll need to make this sauce. Don't miss out on any of the details!

Coriander Seeds:
- Coriander Powder: Essential in Indian, Middle Eastern, and North African cooking. Adds mild sweetness to curries, stews, soups, and spice blends like garam masala and za’atar.
- Spice Blend: Toasted and ground coriander seeds add warmth to spice blends like Caribbean Jerk, Ras el Hanout, and Chinese five-spice powder.
- Curries: Whole coriander seeds are essential in authentic curries. Simmer them with onions, ginger, and other spices for a rich flavor.
- Coriander Seed Water: Coriander seeds have anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. Boil a tablespoon in a cup of water and drink to soothe digestive discomfort, reduce bloating, or fight inflammation.
- Pickling Spice: Add coriander seeds to your pickling spice blend for a delicious flavor. Combine with mustard seeds, black pepper, and dill to pickle cucumbers, carrots, or beets.
✨ Benefits
1. Aids Digestion
Cilantro and coriander seeds are packed with digestive enzymes. They help break down food, enhancing digestion and reducing bloating. They are especially useful in heavy or greasy meals.
2. Lowers Cholesterol
Coriander seeds can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL) due to their high healthy fat content and antioxidant levels. They're a natural way to manage cholesterol levels.
3. Rich in Antioxidants
Both cilantro and coriander seeds are high in antioxidants. These protect cells from free radical damage and reduce inflammation, helping prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
4. Boosts Immunity
Cilantro and coriander seeds are a great source of Vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant strengthens the immune system by combating harmful pathogens, helping your body resist infections and diseases.
5. Improves Sleep
Coriander seeds contain natural compounds that help to regulate sleep, making them an excellent choice for those struggling with insomnia or restless sleep. Just a few spoonfuls of coriander seeds before bed can help you achieve a night of more restful and restorative sleep, ensuring that you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
🍱 Buying and Storing
Cilantro:
- When selecting fresh cilantro, look out for vibrant green leaves without any yellow spots.
- Also, take a sniff – fresh cilantro should have a fragrant and sharp scent.
- Once you have your cilantro at home, before storing, trim the bottom stems and give it a rinse, gently pat dry, and transfer to a paper or cloth towel.
- Fold the towel and put it in a plastic or resealable bag.
- Store cilantro in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Pro-tip: if you’re using the cilantro for a recipe with more substantial leaves, store the cilantro upright in a jar of water and cover it with a plastic bag. This will keep the cilantro fresh and crisp for extended periods.
Coriander Seeds:
- When buying coriander seeds, look for brown seeds with a subtle citrus scent.
- Ground coriander powder should be pale yellow and fine-textured and, again, should emit a citrus scent.
- Store coriander seeds and powder in an airtight container away from direct light, moisture, and heat. They can stay fresh for up to three years.
👩🏻🍳 Recipes With Cilantro and Coridander
🙋 People Also Ask [FAQs]
Coriander seeds are slightly spicy and have a warm, floral, and citrusy flavor. They are often used in dishes to add a subtle kick of spice.
Cilantro has a naturally occurring soapy taste due to aldehydes, which are organic compounds with a distinct chemical structure. Interestingly, some people have a gene that detects this soapy taste more strongly than others.
Yes, it is possible to freeze cilantro! There are two ways to do it: either put the leaves in freezer bags or make a puree and freeze it in ice cube trays. This is a simple and efficient method to preserve the flavor of cilantro for future use.
No, culantro is not the same as cilantro. While they are closely related botanically, their flavors and aromas are similar yet distinct. Culantro is much more pungent than cilantro, which makes it a popular choice in Latin American cuisine.
🔑 Key Takeaways: Cilantro vs Coriander
- Cilantro vs Coriander: They might share a name, but they're not the same. Cilantro is the fresh leafy part, while coriander refers to the whole plant, including leaves, stems, and seeds.
- Flavor: Cilantro brings zesty, citrusy notes to dishes like salsa and curries. Coriander seeds offer warm, nutty flavors perfect for curries, spice blends, and even soothing teas.
- Uses: Cilantro tops soups, salsas, and more with its crisp texture, while coriander seeds add depth to curries and pickles. Both herbs are packed with antioxidants and digestion-friendly enzymes.
- Storing: Keep cilantro crisp in the fridge for up to two weeks, and preserve coriander seeds' potency in an airtight container for years.
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🍽️ Recipe
Spicy Cilantro Pesto Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups cilantro including stems (washed and dried)
- ¼ cup cashew nuts
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers stems removed and roughly chopped
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper adjust to taste
Instructions
Prep Ingredients:
- Start by washing and thoroughly drying the cilantro. Remove any large, tough stems, but using the tender stems is fine as they add flavor. Chop the garlic, remove the stems from the jalapeno peppers, and roughly chop them.
Toast Cashews:
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the cashew nuts until they turn slightly golden and become fragrant. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly. Once toasted, set them aside to cool.
Blend Initial Ingredients:
- In a food processor, add the toasted cashew nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped garlic, and jalapeno peppers.
Pulse and Scrape:
- Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until they are finely chopped and combined. Scrape down the sides of the processor bowl as needed to ensure even blending.
Add Cilantro:
- Add the cilantro to the food processor. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your food processor. Pulse until the cilantro is finely chopped and mixed with the other ingredients.
Stream in Olive Oil:
- With the food processor running, slowly stream in the olive oil. This will help emulsify the mixture and create a smooth consistency.
Season and Adjust:
- Stop the food processor and scrape down the sides. Add kosher salt and black pepper. Pulse again to combine. Taste the pesto and adjust the salt and pepper to your preference.
Final Blending:
- Blend the pesto for a little longer until you reach your desired consistency. Some people prefer a smoother pesto, while others enjoy a slightly chunky texture.
Taste and Adjust Again:
- Taste the pesto once more and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you'd like it spicier, you can add more chopped jalapeno.
Storage:
- Transfer the spicy cilantro pesto to a clean, airtight container. Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over the top to help preserve its vibrant color. Seal the container tightly and store it. For longer storage, you can also freeze it in ice cube trays or small containers in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
- This cilantro pesto has a kick of heat from the jalapeno peppers.
- Adjust the number of peppers to control the level of spiciness according to your taste preferences.
- The cashew nuts add a wonderful creaminess and nutty flavor to the pesto. If you have allergies, you can replace them with almonds or pine nuts or omit them altogether.
- Feel free to substitute the cilantro with other herbs like basil or parsley for a different flavor profile.
- When storing the pesto, make sure to press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the container. This will help prevent oxidation and maintain the pesto's vibrant green color.
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