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You might not be very familiar with all the subtle differences between spices if you didn't grow up with a spice drawer or even a spice closet to crawl into and sift through whenever your parents decided to bake or cook. For example, nutmeg is highlighted by nutty and clove-like flavours, and paprika is actually quite sweet and pairs beautifully with garlic. To make a rich and savoury dish, one can utilise hundreds of different spices and herbs in countless different combinations, yet coriander often receives a poor rap.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), which is a member of the parsley family and has its origins in both the Middle East and the Mediterranean, is listed by Britannica as a plant that is native to both regions. Both the leaves and the seeds of coriander are used in cooking, and they may be found in a variety of savoury dishes such as curries, pastries, and sausages. They are also frequently used to flavour liqueurs. However, coriander has an unrealized potential for sweet items in addition to its superior performance as a savoury dish spice.
Similar to coriander, fresh coriander has a strong lemony punch that might make some people think it tastes like soap. Coriander seeds, however, take on a completely different flavour profile when ground and toasted. When coriander is toasted, it takes on earthy, sweet undertones that are just what almost every dessert needs to add depth.
You can add a pinch of ground coriander to a range of baked sweets such as muffins, bread, cookies, pies, and cobblers, or combine coriander with other spices (cumin, black pepper, and thyme) and any fruit-based treat. Not for the first time, people have used toasted coriander for its sweeter aspect. According to The Washington Post, the spice is described as having honey-like qualities and aphrodisiac properties in old literature including "The Bible" and "The Arabian Nights." The Holy Roman Empire's Emperor Charlemagne was completely fixated on the seed and made sure it was spread over all the territories he had conquered.
Although it is often believed that the Mediterranean and some regions of southwestern Europe are where the coriander plant originally came from, little is actually known about its origins. According to experts, its use began at least 5,000 years ago. Coriander is mentioned in Sanskrit texts, and the seeds were buried with Egyptians. Even in the Old Testament, coriander is mentioned. Manna that was given to Jews fleeing Egypt was compared to coriander seed. One of the earliest plants that American colonist in Massachusetts grew was coriander. Furthermore, Frenchmen in the seventeenth century utilised coriander that had been distilled to create a specific form of alcoholic beverage. Today, cilantro is grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and it is popular everywhere.
