Cilantro is a very popular plant in many cuisines around the world due to its aroma and unique taste characteristics. It is used both fresh and as a dried spice. This article will focus on the chemical and vitamin composition of cilantro, its beneficial and harmful properties, methods of collection, rules for drying and storage, methods of use.

Did you know? Cilantro contains phytoncides, which are capable of killing certain bacteria and fungi, thereby preventing the development of infections in wounds. Even in ancient Rome, legionnaires used this method of healing wounds: they sprinkled some cilantro seeds for damage, kept for a couple of minutes and then thoroughly washed the wound with water. This helped to disinfect and disinfect and often saved lives.

Chemical and vitamin composition of cilantro

This fragrant herb comes from Asia, and its other famous name is coriander. Both fresh and dried cilantro has its own unique chemical and vitamin composition, which gives it special healing properties. Information on the content of mineral and vitamin compounds in fresh and dry grass and their weight indicators are summarized in a comparative table later in the article.

Fresh

The lion's share of fresh spices is water and dietary fiber. Of the vitamin compounds, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, E, K, PP are present, as well as choline. The mineral components of fresh coriander leaves include:

Dry

Energy value of dried cilantro per 100 g of product:

• calorie content - 216 kcal;
• proteins - 3 g;
• fats - 0 g;
• carbohydrates - 54.5 g;

The remaining volume is occupied by dietary fiber and amino acids. It is worth noting that with proper drying, the same vitamins that are found in fresh herbs are preserved in seasoning. Minerals are also preserved, like vitamins, with the only difference being that some weight indicators can slightly decrease.

Important! If the rays of the sun fall on the leaves of cilantro when drying, then the greens are more likely to be fried than dried, and at the same time they will lose most of the nutritional components.

Useful and harmful properties of dried cilantro

Due to its rich chemical composition and a large number of vitamins and minerals contained in it, cilantro is one of the plants that are very healthy. Coriander leaves are recommended for use in any form - dried, frozen or fresh.

Cilantro helps to cope with a long list of various ailments, including:

• constipation;
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
• stomach upset;
• loss of appetite;
• cramps
• intestinal gas (flatulence);
• diarrhea;
• bacterial or fungal infections;
• measles;
• hemorrhoids;
• caries;
• nausea;
• painful hernia;
• worms;
• joint pain.

• Also, this plant has a whole list of beneficial effects on the human body:
• general strengthening of immunity;
• regeneration of blood cells and their saturation with useful substances;
• cleansing blood vessels and preventing the formation of blood clots;
• antibacterial effect on the internal membranes of organs and tissues;
• removal of toxins and toxins;
• adjustment of the gastrointestinal tract;
• beneficial effects on the kidneys and liver, as well as on the genitourinary system;
• fatigue reduction;
• stress relief;
• cleansing the oral cavity and walls of the teeth from plaque;
• general tonic effect on muscles and tissues.

Important! If you do not adhere to storage rules, then molds may begin to develop on dried spices, most of which are invisible to the human eye. Mold can cause indigestion, dizziness, and weakness.

• But, like any product, cilantro also has its own contraindications:
• Pregnancy and lactation. Reliable information on the safety of cilantro during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not enough. Do not use this plant in any form in order to avoid unwanted manifestations.
• Allergy. People allergic to wormwood, anise, cumin, dill, parsley or other similar plants may have allergic reactions to cilantro.
• Diabetes. This herb can lower blood sugar. If you have diabetes and you eat cilantro, check your blood sugar very carefully to avoid a critical condition.
• Low blood pressure Cilantro is able to significantly lower blood pressure. Use this seasoning with caution if you have low blood pressure, or take medicine to increase it.
• Surgery. If surgery is expected, then it is recommended that you do not eat cilantro 2 weeks before it, as it significantly reduces blood sugar, which can negatively affect the patient’s health during surgery.

Collection methods and preparation of cilantro

When the coriander reaches a height of 15-17 cm, its leafy outlet can be cut off. Harvesting is best done in the early morning, when the greens are still as fresh as possible. Cutting branches is recommended as close as possible to the ground. After cutting, the leaves should be washed in order to exclude the possibility of any undesirable elements getting into the future seasoning. Next, the twigs need to be folded into small bundles and tied with a thread or a special rubber band for the convenience of further drying.

Video: preparing cilantro for drying

Optimal drying conditions

The most suitable conditions for the proper drying of coriander leaves is the average street summer temperature within +25 ... + 30 ° С. Drying should be placed in the shade, so that direct sunlight does not fall on the leaves of the plant.

Did you know? In ancient Egypt, coriander was of great importance, since it was used in funeral rites, in sacrifices, and many diseases were treated with it. It was also believed that the healing properties of this plant can make a person immortal.

How to dry at home

To properly dry the coriander greens at home, you need to follow several basic rules:

1. Bunches should be placed on pre-prepared towels or thick white paper. Thus, excess moisture will be absorbed into the litter and gradually evaporate.
2. Leaves need to be periodically turned over as soon as darkening appears on them. It is necessary to achieve maximum uniformity of darkening and drying of greens.
3. When the bunches fade and acquire a uniform dark green color, they can be hung on ropes so that the air has access to the green from all sides. In this form, the coriander greens should sag for about 3 days, until completely dried and the leaves become brown.

Thanks to this procedure of natural drying, cilantro leaves will retain all the useful trace elements and vitamins.

Ways to use Dried Cilantro

Cilantro in any form is actively used in cooking. So, it goes well with meat dishes, including barbecue and grilled meat, with steam, fried, stewed and other types of meat products. In addition, dry seasoning from coriander leaves is successfully combined with other herbs, such as basil or parsley, to obtain new, special aromatic and flavoring properties. Dried cilantro is also suitable for soups, salads, side dishes and main dishes, as well as for the preparation of sauces, dressings and aromatic oils.

Storage Features

Optimum for long-term storage of dried cilantro will be any sealed packaging. It can be a plastic bag with a plastic lock, you can also use a tin or glass can. In this form, cilantro will be able to persist for 1 year or more, without losing its taste, aromatic and beneficial properties. Dried spices should be stored at minimum humidity in a dry and dark place where direct sunlight does not fall.

Proper preparation and drying of the fragrant green cilantro, or, as it is also called, coriander, is not difficult. Adhering to the drying technology described in the article, you will be able to preserve in the resulting aromatic spice all the wealth of vitamins and minerals that are found in fresh leaves.