Cilantro has a strong flavor that you may be able to detect immediately after eating it. It has a bright, herbaceous taste that is highly distinctive from other herbs. In addition, cilantro has traces of lemon, parsley, and green onion, among other unidentified flavors.
There’s a slight hint of coriander in the flavor, but it’s not overpowering. Coriander is the seed of the very same plant as cilantro, but it has a much more flowery and citrus flavor profile.
Research shows that because of some people’s genes, cilantro tastes like soap to them! But it could just be a personal choice?
What is cilantro?
Cilantro is a green leafy herb that looks like parsley. However, the coriander plant’s leaf portion bears seeds that are used as a condiment.
This herb is also referred to as Chinese parsley and Mexican parsley. Pure coriander leaves is the name given to cilantro leaves grown in the United States and the United Kingdom.
How to store cilantro
Cilantro has a short shelf life. If you don’t rinse it until you’re ready to use it, it will quickly disintegrate. Instead, put the stems in a cup of water and fill the top securely with a plastic bag to keep it for up to 7 days.
Store the cilantro in the refrigerator to keep it cool. The leaves can then be trimmed off as required. It would help if you blanched cilantro before freezing to inhibit the enzymes that degrade it.
To keep the cilantro flavor, you can refrigerate cilantro oil or pesto. Then, before freezing, you can use the washed leaves to prepare your favorite pesto sauce. Cilantro will only last 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator. However, it will keep for 4 to 6 months when frozen.
How can you tell if cilantro has gone bad
If cilantro is exposed to heat, it can soon turn rotten. When cilantro turns bad, there are a few obvious symptoms to check for.
In terms of appearance, high-quality cilantro has a dark green hue and a firm stem. However, the blades of cilantro will begin to droop, and the stem will get limp as it’s starting to go bad.
In terms of hue, it will become discolored rather than dark green. The discoloration ranges from yellow to brown.
When it comes to the smell, cilantro has an unpleasant odor then it is rotten. When the leaves turn mushy, you should discard the plant right away. The cilantro will lose its flavor at this stage, and mold will begin to grow on it.
Dishes with cilantro
Cilantro is a diverse herb that may be found in various Mexican, East Asian, Indian, and Oriental dishes. Cilantro is frequently sprinkled on top of Indian meals. It’s a common ingredient in Mexican sauce and Moroccan chermoula.
You can add a handful of fresh cilantro to almost any savory Indian cuisine. It goes well with chicken and can be used in sauces and salsas.
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