Description of the best varieties of coriander (cilantro), beneficial properties and cultivation

Cilantro is an annual herb and has a specific aroma. Due to its taste characteristics, the plant has become widespread in the culinary field. Using different varieties of cilantro, you can change the perception of a dish and introduce innovation into familiar recipes.

History of appearance in Russia

In Russia, coriander began to spread relatively recently. Initially, the plant settled on the territory of European countries in the western and central parts. For the first time, cilantro in the form of seeds along with anise was brought to Russia from Spain by Count Apraksin. Coriander seeds were distributed for cultivation to peasants in the village of Krasnoye, Voronezh province. Among the anise seeds there were coriander seeds, which they wanted to destroy as a weed. Over time, cilantro plants were tasted and used as an aromatic spice.

Description of the variety

Seed coriander belongs to herbaceous plants from the Apiaceae family. Despite the unusual aroma, the plant occupies a high position among all known spices. Among all the essential oil crops grown in Russia, coriander accounts for more than 75% of the area.

Appearance

The cilantro plant reaches a height of about 70 cm, has rounded stems branched from the base, an erect spindle-shaped root and pinnately dissected leaves. The edges of coriander leaves can be jagged or three-lobed. During the flowering period, the plant is covered with small pale pink or white flowers, folded into umbrellas. Ripe coriander fruits are dark achenes about 50 mm long. The spherical fruits of coriander are brownish-yellow in color and when pressed, they crumble into two miniature spheres.

Chemical composition

Spicy coriander is a rich source of rutin, vitamins B and C, carotene, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Dried cilantro seeds have a cool pungency and a distinct aroma because the drying process removes the aldehyde trans-tricedenol-2 from the plant.

Beneficial features

The essential oil crop is used in various industries due to its beneficial characteristics. These include the following:

• cilantro enriches dishes with vitamins A and C;
• the seeds of the plant promote the healing of abrasions, reduce pain, stabilize the digestion process and liver function, help in the treatment of hemorrhoids and eliminate constipation;
• frequent consumption of coriander strengthens the immune system, has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects;
• greens improve appetite, activate the process of removing toxins from the body, improve intestinal motility, strengthen blood vessels and have a beneficial effect on blood composition;
• coriander lowers blood sugar levels, so it is recommended to include it in a regular diet for diabetes;
• essential oil culture helps to maintain your figure and fight excess body weight.

Where does it grow?

Any varieties of cilantro germinate better in sunny areas with fertile soils with a slightly acidic reaction. When choosing a place for planting coriander You should avoid heavy, clayey soils on which a dense crust forms. You can plant coriander not only in garden beds at your summer cottage, but also at home.

The nutritional value

100 g of cilantro contains 1% of the daily requirement of carbohydrates, 3% of protein and 1% of fat. The plant's carbohydrate content in grams is 3.7 g, which is about 52% of the total energy from a serving or 15 kcal. The total calorie content of coriander is 23 kcal.

The composition of greens includes 0.9 g of sugar and 2.8 g of fiber. Coriander does not contain trans fats or cholesterol. Fat-soluble vitamins include: beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, vitamins A, E and K. Coriander also contains a number of macro- and microelements.

Coriander spices

Coriander is a common spice in Indian, Georgian and many other oriental cuisines. Coriander greens are included in recipes for pickles, baked goods, marinades and liqueurs. Due to its light taste, cilantro goes perfectly with other spices, for example, basil, dill, chili pepper, and mint. The most popular combination of cilantro and cumin. Cilantro is also included in the Indian masala mixture and curry seasoning.

Benefits and harms

Coriander has a beneficial effect on the human body; it is used for depression, colds, and diabetes. The essential oil contained in the spice has a strong anti-inflammatory and antiviral effect, and is excreted through the urinary system, healing the kidneys and bladder.

Despite the beneficial characteristics of coriander, increased consumption of cilantro can lead to negative consequences. Greens are contraindicated for myocardial disorders, thrombophlebitis and vascular diseases. Coriander can provoke an allergic reaction, so allergy sufferers should consume the product in small quantities. Women during lactation or pregnancy also need to include cilantro in their diet in limited quantities.

Types of cilantro

There are a large number of varieties of coriander, which differ in taste characteristics, appearance, cultivation characteristics and other indicators. The following types of cilantro are most widespread among gardeners:

Vanguard

Recommended for use as salad greens and spices. Highly aromatic variety with a yield of 1.3–1.5 kg/sq.m. m.

Borodino

A mid-season variety of coriander, ripening in 40–45 days. The weight of each plant is about 25–30 g. Productivity is 2.5 kg/sq. m.

Kin-Dza-Dza

An erect plant with weak branching. A distinctive feature is the absence of anthocyanin coloring of the umbrella. The average yield is 1.5–1.6 kg/sq.m. m.

King of the Market

A plant variety with dense vegetation. The leaves are medium sized, rich green, smooth. The main advantages of the variety include high aromaticity and resistance to frost. Productivity - 2.9 kg/sq. m.

Picnic

A fast-growing type of cilantro, ripening in 35 days. The leaves are large with serrated edges. Productivity - 3.2 kg/sq. m.

Lovely

A late-ripening variety of coriander. The ripening period is 35 days. Small plants up to 40 cm high. Productivity - 3.2 kg/sq. m.

Chico

Well-leafed plants 50–60 cm high. The mid-season variety grows in 40–45 days. Productivity is low - about 0.8–1.2 kg/sq. m.

Alekseevsky

A variety of cilantro plant with smooth leaves and umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Plant height 85-90 cm. Productivity - 1.4 kg/sq.m. m.

Ray

A compact variety of coriander weighing 20–40 g and about 50 cm high. The protein content is 9% and twice the standard. Plant productivity is 1.5–1.7 kg/sq. m.

Growing

Cilantro seeds are able to germinate even at low ambient temperatures starting from 6 degrees Celsius. You can start sowing the plant in early spring by placing the seeds in open soil. Many gardeners plant the plant in several stages, leaving breaks of two weeks between them. It is allowed to start sowing coriander from March until the end of summer. Large seeds are sown in wide rows, leaving gaps of about 40 cm. The optimal depth for seed placement is 2–3 cm.

Early coriander shoots tolerate late frosts, down to 7 degrees below zero.At the same time, for active growth and achievement of good yield of coriander, warm conditions are required - over 20 degrees Celsius.

Also, plant seedlings require sun, so dark areas should be avoided when planting. In the absence of sun, coriander bushes will stretch upward and will not produce dense vegetation. The land for cultivation must be fertile. Regardless of the variety, it is recommended to grow cilantro after cabbage, tomatoes, legumes and potatoes. Coriander is propagated exclusively by seeds.

Care

Ripening cilantro does not require special care. It is enough to follow a few standard rules. First of all, abundant watering is important for the plant. The maximum need for watering occurs at the beginning of the growing season. During seed ripening and in the budding phase, moderate watering is required. If there is long rainfall, the plants may not need to be watered, as excess moisture leads to the formation of rot.

In the first month of growing coriander, after each watering, you should carefully loosen the top layer of soil to improve root aeration. Otherwise, the plants will significantly regress in growth. To grow dense vegetation, seedlings need to be pruned or thinned out at the stage of growth of the second leaf.

Pests and diseases

When growing coriander, there is a risk of encountering aggressive pests. The most dangerous is the coriander seed eater, which gnaws holes in the fruits and causes significant damage to the crop. Once inside the fruit, the larva becomes active and chews out the endosperm. If a pest is detected in the beds, sowing of treated seeds and constant removal of weeds with further careful digging is required.In addition to the seed eater, cilantro can be affected by the fall armyworm, striped and umbrella bugs. The methods of combating them are similar, and as an additional measure, insecticidal fertilizers can be used.

Diseases affecting cilantro include ramularia and powdery mildew. Ramulariasis affects plants with excessive humidity and constant frost. Dark spots appear on the leaves of the crop, which are gradually covered with plaque. Over time, the affected plant dies. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that quickly spreads from one plant to neighboring ones. The leaves of plants affected by the disease begin to turn yellow and fall off. The main measures to eliminate coriander diseases include periodic feeding, compliance with the rules of care and seed dressing.

Harvest and storage

Vegetation should be cut before the plant begins to set flower stalks. If the buds have already appeared, the greens will acquire an unpleasant taste and begin to taste bitter. When harvesting, it is recommended to leave a small petiole about 10 cm tall so that the cilantro can regrow. At the same time, the second wave of a full-fledged harvest does not always grow, and if it grows, the leaves become smaller. Coriander harvesting can take several days if planting is uneven.

You can store cilantro in different ways. At home, greens retain their beneficial properties well when left in the refrigerator. The plant can be wrapped in foil or placed in a jar. The main thing is that the cilantro is sealed and no air enters it. Leaving fresh cilantro in an airtight tray will keep for about 8-10 days.If it is necessary to ensure long-term storage of coriander, it is better to use the methods of freezing, salting, drying and pickling.

If you need to leave fresh herbs for the winter, it is better to dry them. To do this, wash the plant well in water and completely remove dust and remaining soil. First, the greens should dry out a little, after which you need to cut them and spread them on a paper sheet in a thin layer to dry completely. You can dry coriander in a dry, well-ventilated space or in an oven preheated to 40 degrees. Dried coriander should be poured into a glass jar or bag. When dried, the shelf life is about a year.

Using the freezing method, it is possible save the cilantro in rich green color. To do this, you need to wash it, let it dry, put it in plastic bags or sealed containers and put it in the freezer. Coriander can be stored at a constant temperature of -18 degrees for a year. It is better to divide the cilantro into small portions so that you can get the right amount at any time.

Coriander oil

Spicy oil created using herbs is actively used in aromatherapy, medicine and other industries. The list of beneficial qualities of organic coriander plant oil includes antibacterial, soothing, choleretic and warming properties. By adding coriander oil to your daily diet, you can prevent the development of diseases such as gastritis, flatulence, and dyspepsia. It has been proven that natural cilantro oil promotes good appetite, gland secretion and active production of gastric juice.

For preventive purposes, it is recommended to consume 1–3 drops of coriander oil mixed with honey daily.

External use of the oil product helps in the treatment of joint pain due to rheumatism or arthritis, as well as in relieving convulsive symptoms and muscle spasms. Due to its anti-infective effect, coriander oil is used for skin diseases and inflammation. The calming effect of the oil relieves nervousness and improves the condition in stressful situations. The use of the product is recommended for general fatigue and decreased immunity.

Application

Medicinal properties of cilantro allow its use in folk medicine. An infusion of cilantro seeds is extremely useful in the fight against colds. Dried herbs boiled in boiling water are used to eliminate bad breath. Alcohol tincture of coriander can act as a sedative for nervous disorders and hysteria. To prepare the extract, green seeds are infused with vodka.

Sometimes tea is made from the seeds of a herbaceous plant, which is ideal to drink while preparing for childbirth. It is better to start drinking a drink from the plant 2-3 weeks before the planned birth. It is important to understand that during pregnancy you need to consume cilantro in limited quantities so as not to provoke possible allergic reactions.

A decoction of coriander seeds is used to treat influenza and sore throat. The presence of antiseptic properties of the plant ensures rapid healing of the patient and sanitation of the oral cavity. In folk therapy, decoction and infusion of coriander is used to treat eczema and dermatitis by applying compresses to problem areas of the skin. When washed with coriander solution, it is possible to make the skin soft and velvety.

The plant is most widely used in cooking due to its special taste and bright aroma. The plant is used as a seasoning, spice or freshly harvested. Green cilantro is added to food at the end of cooking or sprinkled on the finished dish to add bright color and rich aroma. Coriander is suitable for combination with any vegetable salads, low-fat soups, fish and meat dishes.

Coriander oil is actively used in cosmetology for the production of cleansing tonics and skin care lotions. Cosmetic preparations based on it are used to eliminate acne and pimples, combat flaky skin and swelling. Creams containing cilantro are an effective preparation for rejuvenating and maintaining healthy skin. Hair care products containing cilantro prevent early gray hair, eliminate dandruff and stabilize the secretion of the sebaceous glands.

You can also use cilantro for weight loss. The product can be consumed with any diet that includes greens in the diet. Coriander stimulates accelerated metabolism in the body. While following a diet, it is recommended to snack on smoothies with vegetables and herbs. The presence of coriander in such cocktails gives strength and vigor, helps to withstand workouts and actively lose weight.