The bold green burst of freshness that divides opinion and defines dishes.
Pungent herb with distinctive aldehyde compounds; cornerstone of Mexican, Thai, and Indian cooking.
Where it comes from
Cilantro has roots in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, where it has been used for centuries for both culinary and medicinal purposes, showcasing its versatility.
In the kitchen
Cilantro is often used fresh as a garnish or ingredient in salsas, salads, and curries, providing a burst of flavor that brightens and balances dishes.
Across cuisines
Cilantro is used at two points: raw-blended into fresh salsa verde and pico de gallo (the leaves macerate briefly in lime acid, softening their texture while intensifying flavour), and as a raw garnish torn over birria tacos and arroz a la tumbada at the moment of service. Mojo de ajo — long-cooked garlic confit — is almost always served with cilantro as a fresh counterpoint to the mellow cooked garlic.
Coriander leaf (dhania) is used in three ways in Indian cooking: (1) raw chutney ground with green chilli, garlic, and lime — the workhorse green condiment of the subcontinent; (2) stirred into curries like aloo gobi in the final 30 seconds off heat; (3) scattered over biryani as a visual and aromatic layer before the dum lid seals the rice. Stems are used interchangeably with leaves in chutneys.
Thai cooking uses cilantro root (rák pak chee) — dried and pounded — as a core curry paste component alongside galangal and lemongrass; the root has a more earthy, concentrated flavour than the leaves. Gai yang (grilled chicken) marinates in a cilantro root paste. Leaves are used raw as a garnish over finished dishes but are considered secondary to the root in paste work.
Notable varieties
Eryngium foetidum — not Coriandrum sativum, but functionally substituted for cilantro in hot climates where true cilantro bolts quickly. Saw-toothed leaves, more pungent aldehyde profile, heat-stable unlike regular cilantro. Used raw in Vietnamese phở bowls and Caribbean doubles.
Nutrition (per 100g)
AI-estimated; model and run unavailable.
Pairs well with
