Coriander seeds

Listing ID #4305689

• Coriander is a small, hollow-stemmed plant in the Apiaceae family, in the genus: Coriandum. Its scientific name is Coriandum sativum.
• Pleasant, aromatic and spicy, its seeds have been in use since ancient times in cooking as well as an ingredient in various traditional medicines.
• Coriander is native to Southeastern Europe and grown extensively all over Europe, Middle East, China, India, and Turkey. It is recognized as cilantro in the west.
• The mature plant bears small light pink color flowers that subsequently turn into globular or oval-shaped fruits (seeds). The seeds measure about 4-6 mm in diameter with central hollow cavity containing two vertical vittae containing some important essential oils.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CORIANDER SEEDS

• Coriander seeds contain many plant-derived chemical compounds that are known to have been anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.
• The characteristic aromatic flavor of Coriander seeds comes from the many fatty acids and essential volatile oils which are responsible for digestive, carminative, and anti-flatulent properties of the seeds.
• As in other spices, Coriander is also rich in dietary fiber. 100 g seeds provide 41.9 g of fiber. Much of this fiber is metabolically inert insoluble fiber, which helps increase bulk of the food by absorbing water throughout the digestive system and help easing constipation condition.
• The seeds are an excellent source of minerals like iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium.
• Unlike other dry spice seeds that lack in vitamin C, Coriander seeds contain an ample amount of this anti-oxidant vitamin. 100 g of dry seeds provide 21 mg or 35% of RDI of vitamin-C.
• Furthermore, the seeds are the storehouse of many vital B-complex vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin.

SELECTION AND STORAGE

• Coriander seed as well as its oil are readily available in the market year around. The seeds used as spice. Good-quality Coriander seeds should release pleasant, slightly peppery flavor when squeezed between index and thumb fingers.
• The seeds should be stored in cool, dry, dark place, in airtight containers. This way, they keep well for many months and can be milled using hand-mill whenever required.
• Ground or powdered Coriander should be stored in airtight containers and placed in the refrigerator. Use this spicy powder as early as possible since it loses its flavor rather quickly due to evaporation of essential oils.

USES

Dried Coriander seeds are one of the common spice ingredients used worldwide. In general, completely dried seeds are gently roasted under low flame in a pan before ground in order to get fine powder. Roasting enhances the release of special aromatic compounds and essential oils in the seeds.

• Coriander seeds are used as flavoring agent in confectionary, stews, sausages, sweet breads, and cakes.
• Coriander leaves as well as seeds are being used as an aromatic spice in Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Middle-eastern and European cooking.
• Russian dark rye bread, "Borodinsky bread" uses Coriander seeds.
• In India, ground powder of Coriander seeds is a common household spice powder that is used in pickling, chutneys, stews, curries, marinades as well as in sausages.
• The seeds are chewed as a remedy for halitosis (unpleasant breath).