Coriander and Cilantro: What is the Difference?
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Coriander and Cilantro are two different things, right...? Wrong!
It is quite amazing that although we in the UK and the USA allegedly speak the same language, there are a great many discrepancies, both in the spelling of certain words and sometimes even in the specific words employed to convey a particular meaning. Consequently, confusion can often reign supreme and lead to damaging misunderstandings!
We have here stumbled upon just one such example in the words coriander and cilantro...
We have here stumbled upon just one such example in the words coriander and cilantro...
List of Content
A quick guide to what you will find on this site
It is possible to click on any of the links below to go straight to the relevant sub-section but I very much hope that you will instead use the preferred option of browsing the site in full.
- We say, Coriander...you say, Cilantro!
- Coriander...Cilantro... By Any Other Name
- When Should I use Coriander?
- Coriander/Cilantro Recipe Blog Posts from Google
- What Are You Having for Lunch Today or Dinner Tonight?
- Coriander and Cilantro In More Detail
- Did you know about the Coriander/Cilantro discrepancy?
We say, Coriander...you say, Cilantro!
Ok, so it doesn't have quite the same ring to it as "to-mah-to and to-may-to..."
The Latin name for the herb to which we refer is Coriandrum sativum, from which, it can easily be seen where the word "coriander" is ultimately derived. The word "cilantro" is from the Spanish translation.
In the United Kingdom, we would refer to the leaves and stalks of the plant as "coriander" and to the seeds as "coriander seeds": the word "cilantro" does not exist. In the United States, I now know that the leaves and stalks of the plant are referred to as "cilantro," while the seeds are referred to as "coriander."
In India, where the herb is extremely popular in cooking, it is referred to as "dhania" (just to further confuse the issue!)
In the United Kingdom, we would refer to the leaves and stalks of the plant as "coriander" and to the seeds as "coriander seeds": the word "cilantro" does not exist. In the United States, I now know that the leaves and stalks of the plant are referred to as "cilantro," while the seeds are referred to as "coriander."
In India, where the herb is extremely popular in cooking, it is referred to as "dhania" (just to further confuse the issue!)
Confused?
Be careful the next time you follow a recipe that calls for coriander
I must admit that the first time I came across the word "cilantro" was only a couple of years back while watching an American programme on the UKTV Food channel. I recall thinking that it looked vaguely like coriander but thought it must be some "cousin" of same, perhaps indigent to the United States. Fortunately, I did have access to Google by that time!
I am certain, however, that on both sides of the Atlantic, there must be people - particularly of more senior years - opening cookery books (cookbooks?), written on the opposite side of "The Pond," and scratching their heads in wonder. Britons may wonder what on earth "cilantro" is, while Americans are sure to concern themselves with why "coriander" looks so strange in the photograph accompanying the text!
It is my sincere hope that, whatever else I may or may not achieve on this page, I will at least go some way to clearing up this mystery.
I am certain, however, that on both sides of the Atlantic, there must be people - particularly of more senior years - opening cookery books (cookbooks?), written on the opposite side of "The Pond," and scratching their heads in wonder. Britons may wonder what on earth "cilantro" is, while Americans are sure to concern themselves with why "coriander" looks so strange in the photograph accompanying the text!
It is my sincere hope that, whatever else I may or may not achieve on this page, I will at least go some way to clearing up this mystery.
Coriander...Cilantro... By Any Other Name
A look at some great ideas for incorporating this delicious herb into our cooking
Here is a very affordable guide to all that we could ever wish to know about this tasty and versatile herb - whatever you choose to call it! Click on the link for more information or to purchase.
When Should I use Coriander?
Perhaps a lot more frequently than people may think!
The links below are to sites which all feature at least one recipe containing this delicious herb.
Coriander/Cilantro Recipe Blog Posts from Google
What recipe ideas are others around the Web coming up with?
- Recipes: Gluten-free goodness
- Blackbird Bakery Sunday Morning Pancakes This pancake recipe can be adapted to your craving, says Karen Morgan. Add ½ cup of blueberries, bananas, or chocolate chips or a few dashes of cinnamon. You can have the dry mix at the ready by mixing it up ...
- Recipe: Mango salsa appetizer bites
- This Pillsbury Bake-Off recipe is by Judy Mortensen of Antelope. In a small bowl, combine mango, red onion, jalapeño, dill weed, salt, 1/4 cup cilantro, lime peel and 1 tablespoon of the lime juice; mix well. Cover; refrigerate.
- Recipe: Mexican chicken soup
- Serve the soup with the finely chopped onion, cilantro, serrano chile and lime or lemon wedges on the side to be added as garnishes. Each of 8 servings: 363 calories; 29 grams protein; 36 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams fiber; 13 grams fat; ...
- Recipe: Beef stew with chayotes
- Place the minced onion, habanero, cilantro and radishes in small bowls alongside the stew for serving. Each of 6 servings: 383 calories; 28 grams protein; 26 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams fiber; 17 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 72 mg cholesterol; ...
What Are You Having for Lunch Today or Dinner Tonight?
Find some ideas in Gordon Hamilton's latest food blog posts
- Feb 8, 2012 @ 8:50 pmVegetarian Shepherd's Pie (Gardener's Pie) from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- Shepherd's pie and cottage pie are hugely popular comfort foods but neither is particularly vegetarian friendly. Made principally with lamb and beef respectively, they are in their conventional for...
- Feb 7, 2012 @ 6:43 pmGarlic Roasted Smoked Gammon with Spicy Potato Sal... from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- Smoked gammon is a delicious piece of meat, gammon being similar to ham but butchered in a slightly different way from the pig's hind leg. Although it is quicker to cook a piece of smoked gammon li...
- Jan 23, 2012 @ 4:45 pmSpicy Chicken Noodle Stir Fry for Chinese New Year from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- If you are reading this in China - or simply happen to be Chinese - Happy New Year! Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year so what else could I feature but a Chinese dish? As 2012 is the Ch...
- Jan 21, 2012 @ 4:11 pmHaggis with Clapshot and Breast of Partridge - A B... from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- Haggis, tatties and neeps is usually the main meal served at a Burns Supper, on or around January 25th each year. This recipe is just a slight variation on the traditional to hopefully spruce up wh...
- Jan 15, 2012 @ 2:40 pmSteak, Kidney and Oyster Puff Pastry Pie from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- The traditional version of homemade steak and kidney pie has been one of my favourite meals for many years. I have always resisted the temptation to tamper too much with the recipe for what is a cl...
- Dec 27, 2011 @ 4:07 pmButterflied Rosemary Roast Chicken and Root Vegeta... from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- If you feel that you have spent quite enough time in the kitchen over Christmas and want to prepare some meals this week which are incredibly tasty but require the minimum amount of hands on cookin...
- Dec 21, 2011 @ 6:44 pmBeef and Tomato One Pot Stew with Christmas Tree P... from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- Beef and tomato stew may not be a classic Christmas dish but it is incredibly simple to make and tasty. Garnished with a puff pastry Christmas tree and a scattering of freshly chopped parsley, it can...
- Dec 20, 2011 @ 10:01 amChicken Legs Christmas Dinner for One with Traditi... from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- Chicken legs - or chicken leg and thigh portions - can essentially be viewed as a smaller, juicier alternative to turkey drumsticks for Christmas dinner. They can be purchased separately in many supe...
- Dec 18, 2011 @ 6:51 pmChristmas Chicken Breasts Poached in Apple Cider w... from What Should I Have for Dinner Tonight?
- Chicken is an excellent choice for Christmas dinner or lunch, especially for those people who may not be big fans of turkey. Chicken can, however, present a similar problem to turkey when cooking for...
Coriander and Cilantro In More Detail
A look at the herb and its origins and uses
- Coriander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Discrepancies in the name fully explained and uses for this versatile herb examined.
Did you know about the Coriander/Cilantro discrepancy?
Have you perhaps ever been confused by inconsistent references to the two?
Stumble It!
Thank you for your visit to this site and your time spent looking through it. I very much hope that you can spare just another few moments to give me your overall impressions in the space below.
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Oz
Feb 8, 2012 @ 7:54 pm | delete
- Thanks for clearing out some of the confusion. Also, you may want to know that I searched for Cilantro which is one of the herbs that will flush your system of mercury. So if your body has mercury then eating this herb Coriander or Cilantro would remove it via the kidneys.
Many people in the world have mercury fillings, so eat this to remove any mercury that seeps into your body. Mercury is the most posionous of all things second to plutonium.
http://www.youtube.com/user/MercurySafe#p/f/7/XU8nSn5Ezd8
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Erica R
Feb 5, 2012 @ 6:22 am | delete
- My goodness! I always thought that "coriander" was some exotic herb. I am from the south-western part of the United States and am quite familiar with "cilantro" which I'm not a huge fan of. Thank you for clearing this up for me.
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Tipi
Dec 4, 2011 @ 6:07 pm | delete
- Well, just sit me down, and yes, I've been confused for too long!
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Louisa
Oct 25, 2011 @ 1:01 am | delete
- Thanks! That cleared up the mystery perfectly! - a confused Brit! : )
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RJohnson
Sep 21, 2011 @ 1:59 pm | delete
- You are wrong! Yes it's from the same plant but Cilantro are the leaves (herb) and coriander are the seeds (spice)
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by Gordon_Hamilton
Gordon_Hamilton
Gordon Hamilton has lived in various parts of the UK, from the West of Scotland, to the East of Scotland, to West London. He is presently back living... more »
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