Cilantro and parsley: differences and which is better, description of plants and key difference

Parsley and cilantro are fairly common plants that have a similar appearance. That is why many people confuse them with each other. The same shape of the leaves is due to the fact that spicy herbs belong to the same family. However, this is not at all the same thing. When growing cilantro and parsley, it's important to understand the differences and what to include in your diet.

What is this

Cilantro and parsley are completely different crops that get confused because of their appearance. Cilantro is a more colloquial term that is more commonly referred to as greens. In biology, it is known as vegetable or seed coriander.

Is it correct to confuse these herbs

Both types of greens belong to the Umbelliferae or Celery family. Therefore, they have a similar shape of leaves that resemble maple and are distinguished by carved edges. At the same time, parsley is characterized by larger leaf plates, which are distinguished by a rich green color. If touched, cilantro leaves will feel thinner and softer.

Description of cilantro

Coriander is a herbaceous crop that originated from Ancient Rome. The name of the plant is translated as "bug". This is due to the specific smell of the leaves.

Cilantro is commonly called coriander greens, which are harvested before the seeds ripen. The name of the herb is of Georgian origin. At the same time, the seasoning has become widespread in Georgian cuisine.

The main characteristics of the plant include the following:

• Umbelliferae family;
• vegetation period - 1 year;
• culture height - 40-70 centimeters;
• pivot root;
• naked and straight stem that branches at the top;
• different shape of leaves depending on location;
• white or pink flowers;
• fruits are ovoid-spherical;
• flowering - from early June to late July.

Description of parsley

Curly parsley is a herbaceous crop that comes from the southern regions of Greece. The plant's name means "growing on a rock."

The main features of this culture include the following:

• Umbelliferae family;
• vegetation period - 2 years;
• culture height - 30-100 centimeters;
• tap root system;
• straight stem;
• green-yellow flowers;
• elongated fruits;
• pinnately dissected leaves;
• flowering period - June-July.

Key differences

The cultures under consideration have many differences. They affect the appearance, chemical composition and useful properties.

By useful properties

From the point of view of the chemical composition of greens, parsley is considered more useful. It includes a large number of vitamins, micro and macro elements. Thanks to this, the plant helps to get the following results:

• strengthen immunity;
• increase visual acuity;
• achieve an expectorant effect;
• reduce blood sugar;
• normalize the functions of the digestive system;
• start regeneration processes;
• improve metabolism;
• restore normal sleep;
• strengthen the walls of blood vessels and the heart;
• get a diuretic effect;
• reduce sweating;
• regulate stomach acidity;
• speed up the elimination of toxins.

Cilantro also has a number of useful properties. Thanks to its application, it is possible to obtain the following results:

• strengthen immunity;
• increase the tone of the body;
• activate metabolism;
• improve the functions of the digestive organs;
• get bactericidal action;
• remove toxins;
• get a diuretic effect;
• normalize the functions of the nervous system;
• increase potency;
• prevent degenerative changes in the eyes;
• rejuvenate skin.

By harmful properties

Use aromatic herbs in moderation. In addition, they are dangerous for people with allergies. There are relatively few such people, but sometimes intolerance to essential oils is still observed.

With great care, greens should be introduced into the diet of young children. High doses of cilantro consumption can adversely affect the nervous system, cause cycle failure in women and worsen the quality of sleep. After heart attacks and strokes, the use of coriander should be limited.

Parsley should be used with caution by women during pregnancy. It contains a lot of vitamin A, which harms the development of the fetus and can provoke uterine cramps. Also, the amount of parsley in the diet should be limited for inflammation of the bladder, kidneys, gallbladder.

By origin

Cilantro comes from the Eastern Mediterranean. Coriander came to European countries from Ancient Rome at the beginning of our era. From there it spread to Australia, New Zealand, America. This happened in the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. In Russia, cilantro appeared only in the eighteenth century. In 1830, it began to be massively sown.

The Mediterranean is also considered the birthplace of parsley. On the seashore, it is found in the wild. The cultivation of this plant began to be practiced in the ninth century. In Russia, it began to grow in the fifteenth century.

In appearance

Cilantro is characterized by elongated stems with pale leaves. They are distinguished by a rounded shape and slightly dissected edges. In the first half of summer, the bushes are decorated with pale pink flowers, after which round seeds appear.

Parsley has large dense leaves with sharp edges.It has shorter branched stems. However, they contain a large amount of chlorophyll. This gives the plant a rich green color. In June, the bushes are decorated with small yellow-green flowers. In the second year, elongated fruits are formed instead.

By smell

Cilantro has a pronounced lemon-pepper aroma, which is somewhat reminiscent of the smell of a bed bug. It is associated with the presence of decylaldehyde in the composition. Parsley has a milder flavor.

Application

Cilantro and parsley perform the same functions in cooking. These spices give dishes a rich aroma and fill them with useful substances. Both plants are used to make essential oils, which are used to make preserves.

By chemical composition

There are 40 kilocalories in 100 grams of parsley. It also contains 3.5 grams of protein, 7.5 grams of carbohydrates, 0.45 grams of fat. The plant is 85% water. In addition, greens include the following components:

• organic acids;
• potassium;
• fiber;
• saccharides;
• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• vitamins A, E, K;
• iron.

There are 25 kilocalories in 100 grams of cilantro. At the same time, greens contain 8.7 grams of carbohydrates, 2.13 grams of protein and 0.52 grams of fat. The plant is 92% water. In addition, the herb includes many valuable components, which include the following:

• fiber;
• saccharides;
• vitamins B, C, P, K;
• saturated fatty acids;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• sodium;
• iron.

According to growing habits

Cilantro needs to be planted annually. At the same time, parsley is a biennial crop. In the second year, in addition to greenery, seeds will also appear.

An important difference between crops is the timing of planting. Coriander needs to be sown in early spring or September. Parsley is characterized by a high degree of frost resistance. Therefore, it is permissible to plant it from the end of winter until late autumn. When growing a plant for greenery, planting should be carried out every 3 weeks.

Both crops are frost resistant. Parsley can withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees. With the onset of cold weather, one should not expect the germination of seed material, but sprouts will definitely appear next year. Cilantro is able to withstand frosts down to -7 degrees. However, active growth of greenery is observed at a temperature of +22 degrees.

If growing cilantro for seed, it needs to be planted as early as possible. At temperatures above +35 degrees, the plant forms empty flowers.

Both plants need to be planted in well-lit areas. A slight penumbra is also acceptable. The soil should be loose, and the reaction should be neutral. Cilantro normally perceives slightly alkaline soil.

Caring for plants is no different. To do this, you must adhere to the following rules:

• systematically water the beds;
• weed plantings;
• loosen the ground between the rows.

Both plants require regular thinning. This is done as the greens are harvested. With a strong thickening of plantings, they need to start thinning out earlier.

When growing cilantro, it is not necessary to feed the beds if the nutrients were introduced at the planting stage. Parsley needs complex remedies that include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Similar tools are suitable for cilantro. They activate the growth of greenery and strengthen the immune system.

Conclusion

Despite visual similarities, cilantro and parsley have a number of differences. The difference affects appearance, chemical composition, taste, aroma and he alth effects.

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