If you didn’t know that cilantro and coriander are from the same plant, it’s okay – we only found out recently, too, and it blew our minds a bit! There aren’t many plants that can be used as an herb AND a spice, which makes the coriander plant pretty unique.
Cilantro and coriander both come from the Coriandrum sativum plant (the coriander plant). The leaves of the coriander plant are used as the herb cilantro, while its dried seeds are used as the spice coriander (coriander seeds, ground coriander, etc).
We’ll explain how the herb and spice from the same plant have different flavors, as well as explore their other differences in this article.
Cilantro vs. Coriander
Botanically
Cilantro and coriander both come from the plant Coriandrum sativum, the coriander plant. The leaves of the coriander plant are used as an herb – that’s cilantro. The seeds of the plant are called coriander seeds, and culinary-wise they are used as a spice.
Typical form
Cilantro can be found fresh as well as dried, as well as in a paste. If you buy cilantro fresh you’ll need to remove the leaves from the stems before using them since the leaves are where the flavor is concentrated.
Coriander seeds are dried and available in whole seed or ground forms. Ground coriander is ideal for adding the flavor of coriander without impacting the texture. If you don’t need a smooth, uniform texture – like in soups or chunkier sauces – then whole or partially cracked coriander seeds can be used instead of ground coriander if desired.
If a recipe calls for ground coriander and you only have whole coriander seeds (or vice versa), it’s helpful to know that one teaspoon of ground coriander is the equivalent of ¾ teaspoon of whole coriander seeds.
Flavor & popular uses
Cilantro has a fresh, peppery flavor with notes of citrus. It’s not spicy or hot and is popular as a garnish in Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, soups, and more. Cilantro is also used in Mediterranean cuisine.
Coriander has a sweet, tart flavor similar to ginger and adds flavor to a variety of dishes from meats to desserts. Some people describe the taste of coriander as having notes of citrus and toasting coriander brings out a warm, nutty flavor.
Coriander is used in a variety of cuisines, including Asian and Middle Eastern. It’s especially popular for topping rice dishes, using in curries, and adding flavor to soups and stews.’
Are coriander and cilantro interchangeable?
Even though they are from the same plant, coriander and cilantro have very different flavors and can’t be substituted for each other. You can substitute ground coriander for coriander seeds and vice versa – just remember that one teaspoon of ground coriander = ¾ teaspoon of whole coriander seeds.
If you don’t have any cilantro on hand, you can substitute it for other leafy herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano (fresh or dried – you can use less dried than fresh since it’s more concentrated in flavor). You can even use lemon or lime in place of cilantro since it has citrusy flavor notes, but know that the flavor won’t be the exact same.
How to store cilantro vs. coriander
If you buy dried herbs and spices, then the storage for cilantro and coriander is the same. Store dried herbs in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sources of sunlight and heat. Be sure that the lid on the container is tightly sealed since exposure to oxygen can shorten the shelf life of dried herbs and spices.
Dried herbs and spices should last several years when stored properly. Most containers of store-bought herbs and spices will come with a best-by date, but if they smell aromatic then that’s a good sign that they’re still good and are likely fine to use even if it’s past the best-by date.
If you buy fresh cilantro, one of the best ways to store it is in a damp paper towel stored inside an airtight container like a ziplock bag. The water helps the leaves not dry out, and keeping them away from oxygen keeps the delicate leaves from wilting.
FAQs:
Coriander and cilantro come from the same plant – Coriandrum sativum, or the coriander plant. The spice coriander is the dried seeds of this plant, while its leaves are called cilantro. The coriander plant is called cilantro when the leaves are used, but coriander and cilantro aren’t the same since we’re comparing an herb and a spice, which have different flavors, aromas, and uses.
Coriander seeds (or ground coriander seeds) have a different flavor than the leaves of the same plant (cilantro). Coriander seeds have a tart flavor similar to ginger, which changes to warm and nutty when toasted while cilantro has a fresh, herbaceous flavor with notes of citrus.
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