All About Cilantro

“I believe in the magic of preparation. You can make just about any foods taste wonderful by adding herbs and spices. Experiment with garlic, cilantro, basil and other fresh herbs on vegetables to make them taste great."  - Jorge Cruise

Cilantro is a polarizing herb. For many, you either love it or you hate it. Some even think it tastes like soap! But it is a popular ingredient and garnish in many meals. 

Five Fun Facts

• Not everyone can taste or smell aldehydes; it is a genetic ability to detect this soap-like taste, and this makes cilantro unenjoyable for that portion of the population.
• For those who taste cilantro without detecting aldehydes, the taste of cilantro might be described as pungent, lemony, and even a little peppery.
• Cilantro is a member of the parsley family.
• Cilantro plant seeds are used to make the spice coriander, which tastes quite different from the green parts.
• Cilantro is used in dishes around the world - in Indian, Thai, Chinese, Mexican, Caribbean, Mediterranean, North African, and Eastern European foods.

Nutrition Info

Cilantro provides vitamin C, provitamin A, and vitamin K.

One cup of cilantro, which is a bit more than is typically consumed within a given recipe, contains: 

• 3.68 calories
• 0.083 grams (g) of fat
• 0.587 g of carbs
• 0.341 g of protein

Cilantro also contains small amounts of:

• folate
• potassium
• manganese
• choline
• beta-carotene
• beta-cryptoxanthin
• lutein
• zeaxanthin

Benefits 

Cilantro, also known as coriandrum sativum, works against pain, inflammation, and even cancer. It has been used as an antifungal, and contains antioxidants.

Cautions

To avoid salmonella, prepare by heating to 150–170ºF. It is possible to have an allergy or sensitivity to cilantro, although not very common. 

Suggested Recipes

For the Kids and Kids-at-Heart

Download this activity sheet to do the Cilantro Maze!