We use cilantro everywhere, not only in cooking, but also in medicine and cosmetology. Therefore, this plant is known to many. It also has several names depending on the region. Many people call this plant coriander. In this regard, a logical question arises: "Coriander and cilantro are the same thing or not?" Let's deal with this dilemma.
What is cilantro?
This spicy plant is used mainly in cooking. This herb has a characteristic, pronounced aroma. Use it fresh and dried. The taste of this herb is slightly bitter and specific. But there are many fans of cilantro who are happy to use it in cooking. But why is it sometimes called differently? Is coriander and cilantro the same thing? In fact, it is one and the same plant. Cilantro is called the grass itself, its green part. Coriander is the seeds of a plant. It is also successfully used in cooking. Greens and seeds give slightly different tastes, so the difference between them is significant. If you need to decorate a salad or first courses, then you need cilantro. Coriander is used for salting fish and pickling, preservation, in the preparation of sausages, as well as in oriental dishes. There are even some types of beer and liquors, where the seeds of the plant are necessarily added during production.
A bit of history
Even in antiquity, began to use this plant. Therefore, sometimes it is called Chinese parsley. But only a little more than 5 thousand years it is used in cooking. Initially, coriander and cilantro - the same thing, as we found out - were used in medicine as a medicine. This plant was considered a symbol of immortality. Coriander fruits were placed in a sarcophagus next to the deceased. In Europe, this spice was an essential component of love potions. Gradually, it spread throughout the world. In some countries, cilantro has gained particular popularity, and somewhere has remained unrecognized.
Spice application
In addition to cooking, there are several more areas where cilantro has found its application. This is mainly alternative medicine. For example, the seeds of this plant, if chewed, reduce the smell of alcohol and slow down the process of intoxication. Cilantro essential oils are also used in the production of some well-known brands of gin. Many people like Borodinsky bread with coriander, produced in Russia.
Beneficial features
If coriander and cilantro are the same thing, then what are their beneficial properties ? Plant seeds contribute to the removal of toxins from the body. Their use facilitates the work of the gastrointestinal tract and helps the absorption of very heavy foods. Coriander is easily digested and eliminates the feeling of heaviness in the stomach. The green of the plant is good for the heart and blood vessels. People with poor appetite are advised to eat cilantro for food. Despite the large number of useful properties, the calorie content of this spicy herb is very low. Therefore, you can eat it without harm to the figure.
Contraindications
But even such a beautiful plant has its drawbacks. In large quantities, cilantro or coriander causes sleep disturbances and weakens potency. This spice is contraindicated in gastritis, diabetes and hypertension. But this proves once again that in everything you need to know the measure. Excessive cilantro can ruin even the most delicious dish.