Cilantro, or Coriandrum sativum, is a fresh herb widely used in Latin American and Asian cuisines. It has a unique flavor with citrusy, peppery and pungent notes, with prominent stems sprouting very delicate leaves. Cilantro the herb also goes by the name of Chinese Parsley, but it is also called simply 'fresh coriander'. When shopping in the produce section, it bears a familiar leaf shape to Italian Flat Leaf Parsley. Cilantro, if left to seed in the garden, will produce flowers (inflorescences) resulting in tiny pods called coriander seeds. Two different types of coriander fruits can be grown: microcarp (smaller pods grown in more temperate areas) and macrocarp (larger pods grown in hotter regions). Coriander is used in both seasoning blends (pickling, brining and curry spices) and on its own. Cilantro is generally used at the end of cooking or used fresh to keep its full flavor and green coloring, as the herb wilts quickly.

Selecting:

Fresh coriander (or cilantro) leaves should look vibrantly fresh and be deep green in color. They should be firm, crisp and free from yellow or brown spots.

Storage:

• Snip off the bottom of the stems.
• Make sure the leaves are completely dry. Better to hold off rinsing them until you're about to use them.
• Fill a jar or a water glass partially with water and place the stem ends of the herbs into the water in the jar.
• If you are storing the herbs in the refrigerator, cover loosely with a plastic bag. Cilantro loves cool temperatures and should be stored in the refrigerator.
• Change the water after several days if the water starts to discolor.

Cilantro, Fresh parsley, basil, and other fresh herbs can last up to 2 weeks or longer when stored this way. If the roots have been removed, wrap the coriander leaves in a damp cloth or paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. Whole coriander will last up to one week, while coriander leaves will last about three days.

Cilantro may also be frozen, either whole or chopped, in airtight containers, yet should not be thawed before use since it will lose much of its crisp texture. Alternatively, you can place it in ice cube trays covered with either water or stock that can be added when preparing soups or stews.

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