Coriander, some people turn their nose up at it because of its soapy taste, others love it. Whatever you think of it, coriander:this herb really is that healthy.
Coriander, or Coriandrum sativum as the herb is called in Latin, has been used by the Egyptians as a natural medicine since ancient times. In appearance, the herb is very similar to parsley, with the only difference that coriander is a lot darker in color. Coriander is also known as Arabian parsley, Asian, Indian or Chinese parsley. In English, the herb is known as Cilantro.
By the way, coriander has been in use for a long time. If you look at the name in Latin, you will soon see that it is derived from the scent. Kóris stands for bug, amos or aneson stands for anise or dill. The smell that is reminiscent of bugs has ensured that the herb is also known as bugweed.
There is no herb that divides people so much. That's not surprising, because coriander has a bad aftertaste for many people, to be precise, coriander tastes like soap for these people! And as you understand, soap in your mouth is not exactly a pleasant experience. However, this does not apply to everyone. There are also plenty of people who can eat coriander without the unpleasant soap experience.
But why does cilantro actually taste like soap to some people? Several studies by, among others, Charles J. Wysocki, of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, have shown that this is probably all due to your genes. Your genes are ultimately responsible for your sense of taste and smell. So if you belong to the group that thinks coriander tastes like soap:there is really nothing you can do about it, except accept it and look for an alternative.
Now you may be wondering in which kitchen or which dishes coriander is used. As you could read earlier, the link is made to Asian and Arabic cuisine with references such as Chinese parsley. You will not only find this herb in these kitchens, but also in Central America and parts of South America, Coriandrum Sativum is often used. You can also find coriander in curry and Garam Masala.
By the way, bugwort is not only a (tasty) seasoning, thanks to the different substances it is a natural medicine for various disorders. Coriander is among rich in phytonutrients. Think of materials such as:
It also contains polyphenols, including cholorgic acid and coffee acid.
Not unimportant is the fact that Coriandrum sativum contains the following vitamins and minerals:
Coriander contains essential oil, just like in all kinds of other herbs, including sage. This oil is simply called coriander oil. It is, among other things, this oil that provides the medicinal effects. But it's not just the oil that is healthy, that actually applies to the entire plant.
You can use coriander as a flavoring in food, drink it as a tea or as an oil. Not only the leaves of the plant itself, but also the seeds and in some countries even the roots are used. The root has a slightly sharper taste than the leaves.
As mentioned before, you can use bugweed as a natural medicine. It helps, among other things:
Actually, there are no known side effects when you use bugweed. Incidentally, this does not apply to coriander essential oil. This is because many people are allergic to the substance linalool. An allergic reaction to the skin is especially common. Do you want to use coriander oil externally? Then test it first on a small spot to see how you react to it.
Also, do not use coriander essential oil on babies and small children. The strong oil can prevent your child from breathing. This is partly due to kaemferol. This substance is also not suitable for people with asthma. Also note that if you use coriander oil on the skin, you should stay out of the sun for the time being, as this can lead to an allergic reaction.
In principle, as a pregnant woman you can use coriander without any problems, especially if you just use it as a spice. Do not use (extremely) large amounts because this could theoretically cause cramps and contraction of your uterus.
Do you want to get started with this healthy herb? Then make your own tea with the recipe below;
1 teaspoon coriander seed
1 liter of boiling water
Put the seeds in a bag and roll over them with a rolling pin, so that they break open
Pour a liter of boiling water over this
Let steep for 10 – 15 minutes
Strain and enjoy healthy tea
Instead of seeds, you can also use 2 teaspoons of dried coriander leaves for brewing the tea.
