Indian Spices > Coriander

Name - Dhania (coriander)
Botanical name - Coriandrum sativam L

Family name - Apiaceae

Commercial part - Leaf and seed

In India Coriander is an essential part of curry powder, Indian masalas.

In Ethiopia it is used for berebere, which much resembles the Indian spice mixtures apart form being used in Latin American cuisine.

Usages - Curry, Berebere, Roasting And Frying In Indian & Sri Lanka .

Details - A native of the Mediterranean, coriander is the dried ripe fruit of an annual herb with several branches and serrated leaves. The name 'coriander' is based on the Greek work 'kopis' which means 'bug '. The whole plant, when freshly bruised , gives out a peculiarly strong, rather obnorions odonr similar to that associated with bugs.

Hindi name Dhania The name coriander is based on the Greek work Kopis which means Bug. In the countries of Europe, Northern Africa, West, Central and South Asia coriander seeds is an important spice. The cultivation of coriander dates back to ancient species in the Mediterranean region. Coriander has a mention in the holy bible and is known since the Middle Ages. Coriander leaves (also called coriander green) are popular in almost all parts of Asia and is used in India, Thailand, Vietnam and parts of China in the form of garnish for variety of dishes. Besides the use of leaves for decorating dishes coriander is also used as the dried ripe fruit of the annual herb with several branches and serrated leaves.

Happily, when the plant grows and natures, these disagreeable traits are wholly lost and the ripe fruits are completely free from them. A fragrant spice, coriander is today valued as much for its medicinal properties as for its use as a condiment. It finds exiensive application in several kinds of foods, beverages, liquors and perfumes. Coriander requires full exposure to sunlight but with less heat and medium - to- heavy loamy soil, good drainage and well-distributed moisture. Since many parts of Indian meets all these conditions, coriander is thriving crop in this country. Since the Indian farmers prefer organic, cultivation, the quality is good. The major producers of Indian coriander are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Madhya Pradesh. The main importers are USA, the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Middle East. Besides coriander as such, India also exports its powder and essential oil.