Coriander is, forever and always, my Casper the Friendly Ghost. Deceptively unassuming, sure, and fairly subtle to boot, but I wouldnt want to cook without it. I dont know of a friendlier spice, nor of one that can wear so many hats in the kitchen. When treated right, coriander is both a wealth of exotic flavors and a chameleon-like substance as closely linked to “spiced” as vanilla is to “sweet.”
Though we dont know where coriander first originated (North Africa is a likely candidate), its culinary use likely dated back to biblical times. The Book of Exodus, for example, describes manna as the color of coriander. Nowadays coriander has made inroads into everything from barbecue sauce to curry powders to dessert secret ingredients. Its more than one of my top ten spices—its indispensable to a spice hunters craft.
What Does Coriander Taste Like? Floral and citrusy, coriander is a very fresh-tasting spice. Its mildly sweet, lemony flavor is often harnessed in conjunction with other spices in savory recipes; you’ll often see cumin and coriander paired together.
What Does Coriander Taste Like?
Corianders versatility stems from two key features of its personality. The first is its multifaceted flavor profile. Coriander is hard to pin down in so many recipes because its flavor is all over the map. It has a sensual musk punctuated by an unlikely citrus twang. Theres a raw earthy scent to it, made civilized by notes of butter and thyme.
“spend five minutes experimenting with toasting and grinding seeds: you may be surprised at how different the spice can taste.”
How coriander is prepared also greatly effects its final flavor, and what other flavors it goes well with. When left whole, coriander is as floral as cardamom—its flavor full of citrus and curry, light and sweet (the seeds are fun to crunch on, too). When ground, the seeds roasted, nutty aromas come to the fore, though at the expense of all that lovely citrus. Similarly, corianders flavor deepens the longer it cooks, but its uniqueness falls into the background. “Raw” coriander, perhaps briefly toasted before getting added to food as a finishing touch, retains much more of its lightness. Depending on how you like your coriander, you may prefer one method over the others. But spend five minutes experimenting with toasting and grinding seeds: you may be surprised at how different the spice can taste.
Herbs and Spices for Beginners | How to use Herbs and Spices | Vil and Zoe’s Galley
FAQ
What foods taste best with coriander?
What does coriander add to a dish?
What does coriander taste like to people?
Is coriander and cilantro the same thing?
Does coriander taste good?
However, coriander is actually relatively mild, and it can be used in large amounts without overwhelming the other flavors in a dish. So, if you love the taste of coriander, don’t be afraid to add a generous amount to your recipes to enhance their flavor and aroma.
Can coriander be used for cooking?
Coriander is generally used as a seasoning in various dishes. It can be used as a main ingredient in sauces, soups, drinks, and salads.
What can you eat with coriander?
There are tons of fabulous dishes that call for coriander in their recipes: rice, potatoes, slaw, sauces, soups, and even smoothies! Ground coriander is often blended with cumin to create an even bolder flavor that makes the taste buds dance.
Is coriander a good Spice?
Coriander is one of the most under-utilized spices in most kitchens, but it can quickly become your new favorite way to flavor almost any type of dish. It can complement nearly any ingredients you might put together and it does take on different flavors when paired with different types of foods.