Coriander Seed

The dry fruits are known as coriander or coriandi seeds. The word "coriander" in food preparation may refer solely to these seeds (as a spice), rather than to the plant. The seeds have a lemony citrus flavour when crushed, due to terpenes linalool and pinene. It is described as warm, nutty, spicy, and orange-flavoured. Coriander is an important spice crop having a prime position in flavouring food. The plant is a thin stemmed, small, bushy herb, 25 to 50 cm in height with many branches and umbels. Leaves are alternate, compound. The whole plant has a pleasant aroma. Inflorescence is a compound umbel comprises 5 smaller umbels. The seeds of coriander are almost ovate globular and there are many longitudinal ridges on the surface. The length of the seed is 3–5 mm and color, when dried, is usually brown, but may be green, straw-colored or off white. Generally, the seed is sell sun dried and made available for both whole and ground.