Cilantro

Cilantro: A Citrusy and Peppery Herb for Your Recipes

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a plant in the parsley family that has both culinary and medicinal uses. It is also known as coriander, Chinese parsley, or dhania. Cilantro has two main parts that are used as ingredients: the leaves and the seeds. The leaves have a citrusy and peppery flavor, while the seeds have a warm and nutty flavor. Cilantro can add a burst of freshness and aroma to your dishes, as well as provide various health benefits.

What You Need to Know About Cilantro

Botanical Name	Family	Origin	Cultivation	Harvesting	Storage	Shelf Life	Packaging	Availability
Coriandrum sativum	Apiaceae	Mediterranean and Middle East regions	Year-round in temperate climates	Leaves are harvested when young and tender; seeds are harvested when mature and dry	Leaves are best used fresh or frozen; seeds can be stored whole or ground in airtight containers	Leaves last for a few days in the refrigerator or a few months in the freezer; seeds last for up to a year in a cool and dry place	Boxes with labels or stickers	Worldwide

How to Choose the Best Cilantro for Your Needs

HerbCraft Kenya offers the following varieties of cilantro:

• Organic Cilantro: This is cilantro that is grown organically without using any synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. It is certified organic by an accredited body and verified by a credible source. Organic cilantro has a higher quality and safety than conventional cilantro.
• Conventional Cilantro: This is cilantro that is grown using conventional methods that may involve the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. It is not certified organic and may have lower quality and safety than organic cilantro.
• Dried Cilantro: This is cilantro that is dried using a natural or artificial process that removes the moisture from it. It has a longer shelf life than fresh cilantro but may lose some of its flavor, aroma, and nutrients. Dried cilantro can be rehydrated by soaking it in water before use.
• Frozen Cilantro: This is cilantro that is frozen using a rapid or slow process that preserves its freshness, flavor, aroma, and nutrients. It has a longer shelf life than fresh cilantro but may become limp or mushy when thawed. Frozen cilantro can be used directly from the freezer without defrosting.

How to Use Cilantro in Your Cooking

Here are some delicious and easy recipes that use cilantro as an ingredient:

• Cilantro Lime Rice: This is a simple and tasty rice dish that can be served with Mexican, Asian, or Indian food. To make it, you need 2 cups of long-grain white rice, 4 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro leaves, and 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Rinse the rice under cold water and drain well. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot and add the salt and butter. Stir in the rice and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover with a lid. Simmer for 18 minutes or until the rice is tender and fluffy. Fluff with a fork and stir in the cilantro and lime juice.
• Cilantro Chicken Salad: This is a refreshing and healthy salad that can be enjoyed as a main course or a sandwich filling. To make it, you need 3 cups of cooked chicken (shredded or chopped), 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro leaves, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of curry powder, salt and pepper to taste, and lettuce leaves for serving. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, cilantro, honey, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat well. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve on lettuce leaves or bread slices.
• Cilantro Pesto Pasta: This is a creamy and flavorful pasta dish that can be enjoyed with chicken, shrimp, or vegetables. To make it, you need 12 ounces of penne pasta (cooked according to package directions), 2 cups of fresh cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup of toasted walnuts, 2 cloves of garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and 1/4 cup of heavy cream. In a food processor, pulse the cilantro, cheese, walnuts, garlic, and salt until finely chopped. With the motor running, drizzle in the oil until well blended. Transfer the pesto to a small saucepan and heat over low heat. Stir in the cream and cook until warm. Toss the pesto with the pasta and serve.

What Our Customers Say About Cilantro

Here are some positive feedback from customers who have purchased and used cilantro from HerbCraft Kenya:

• "I love the freshness and quality of the cilantro from HerbCraft Kenya. They add so much flavor and aroma to my dishes. I especially like to use them in salsa, guacamole, pesto, chutney, or chimichurri. They are also very healthy and nutritious. I highly recommend them to anyone who loves herbs." - Cynthia O., Mombasa
• "I have been buying cilantro from HerbCraft Kenya for a long time and I am always satisfied with their service and products. They deliver fast and reliably to my location, anywhere in the world. Their packaging is convenient and attractive, easy to open and close. Their labels or stickers provide useful information about their products, such as name, origin, certification, verification, expiration date, usage instructions."⁷ - Audrey G., Birmingham
• "I am impressed by the variety and innovation of the products from HerbCraft Kenya. They offer both common and exotic varieties of cilantro, such as organic, conventional, dried, frozen. They also explore new and niche segments of cilantro, such as potted or edible flower. They create innovative products using cilantro, such as cilantro lime rice , cilantro chicken salad , cilantro pesto pasta . They are always ahead of the market and the competition." - Calvin K., Boston

Answers to Common Questions About Cilantro

Here are some answers to common questions that customers may have about cilantro:

• What are the health benefits of cilantro? Cilantro has various health benefits , such as improving digestion , boosting immunity , lowering blood pressure , preventing infections , reducing inflammation , and supporting bone health. Cilantro is also a good source of vitamin C , vitamin K , folate , iron , calcium , and fiber.

• How to store cilantro? Cilantro should be stored in a refrigerated environment to maintain its freshness and quality. There are two main methods to store cilantro:

  • Bundling method: Tie the stems of the cilantro bunch together and place them upright in a glass or jar with a few inches of water. Cover the leaves loosely with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. Change the water every few days.
  • Plastic bag method: Place the cilantro leaves in a perforated plastic bag and make a few small holes in the bag to allow airflow. Loosely seal the bag and store in the refrigerator.

• How to use cilantro? Cilantro can be used in various ways , depending on the part of the plant and the type of cuisine . Here are some examples:

  • Cilantro leaves: Add them to salads , soups , sauces , dips , dressings , sandwiches , omelets , quiches , or casseroles . Use them as a garnish for meat , fish , poultry , or vegetable dishes . Incorporate them into salsa , guacamole , pesto , chutney , or chimichurri .
  • Cilantro seeds: Toast them lightly in a dry skillet to enhance their flavor and aroma. Grind them into a powder or use them whole in spice blends , rubs , marinades , curries , stews , or pickles . Sprinkle them on breads , cakes , cookies , or pastries .

Order Cilantro from HerbCraft Kenya Today

If you are interested in ordering cilantro from HerbCraft Kenya or want to learn more about our products and services , please contact us today. You can also visit our website or follow us on our social media channels for more information and updates. We look forward to hearing from you and serving you with our fresh herbs.

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