Coriander (cilantro) varieties: description of the best, useful properties and cultivation with photos

Cilantro belongs to annual spicy herbs and has a specific aroma. Due to its taste characteristics, the plant has become widespread in the culinary field. Using different varieties of cilantro can change the perception of the dish and bring innovation to the usual recipes.

History of appearance in Russia

In Russia, coriander began to spread relatively recently. Initially, the plant settled on the territory of European countries in the western and central parts. For the first time, cilantro in the form of seeds, along with anise, was brought to Russia from Spain by Count Apraksin.Coriander seeds were distributed for cultivation to the peasants of the village of Krasnoye, Voronezh province. Among the seeds of anise, there were coriander seeds that they wanted to destroy like a weed. Over time, cilantro plants have been tasted and used as a fragrant spice.

Variety description

Sowing coriander belongs to herbaceous plants from the umbrella family. Despite the unusual aroma, the plant occupies a high position among all known spices. Among all essential oil crops grown in Russia, coriander accounts for more than 75% of the area.

Appearance

The cilantro plant reaches a height of about 70 cm, has rounded stems branched from the base, an erect fusiform root and pinnately dissected leaves. At the edges, coriander leaves can be serrated or three-lobed.During the flowering period, the plant is covered with small pale pink or white flowers, folded into umbrellas. Ripe coriander fruits are dark achenes about 50 mm long. Globular brown-yellow coriander fruits break into two miniature spheres when pressed.

Chemical composition

Spicy coriander is a rich source of rutin, vitamins B and C, carotene, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Dry cilantro seeds have a cool pungency and a special flavor as the drying process removes the aldehyde trans-tricedenol-2 from the plant.

Useful properties

Essential oil crop is used in various industries due to its useful characteristics. These include the following:

cilantro enriches meals with vitamins A and C;
seeds of the plant promote healing of abrasions, reduce pain, stabilize the process of digestion and liver function, help in the treatment of hemorrhoids and eliminate constipation;
frequent use of coriander strengthens the immune system, has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects;
greens improves appetite, activates the process of removing toxins from the body, improves intestinal motility, strengthens blood vessels and has a positive effect on blood composition;
coriander lowers blood sugar, so it is recommended to include it in a regular diet for diabetes;
Essential oil helps maintain your figure and fight overweight.

Where does it grow?

Any varieties of cilantro germinate best in sunny areas with fertile soils with a slightly acidic reaction.When choosing a place to plant coriander, you should avoid heavy, clay soils that form a dense crust. You can plant coriander not only in the beds at their summer cottage, but also at home.

Nutritional value

100 g of cilantro contains 1% of the daily requirement of carbohydrates, 3% of protein and 1% of fat. The carbohydrate content of the plant in grams is 3.7 g, which is about 52% of the total energy from a serving or 15 kcal. Coriander total calories - 23 kcal.

The composition of greens includes 0.9 g of sugar and 2.8 g of fiber. Coriander does not contain trans fats and cholesterol. Of the fat-soluble vitamins, there are: beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, vitamins A, E and K. Coriander also contains a number of macro- and microelements.

Coriander spices

Coriander is a common spice in Indian, Georgian and many other oriental cuisines.Coriander greens are included in recipes for pickles, pastries, marinades and liqueurs. Due to its light taste, cilantro blends perfectly with other spices, such as basil, dill, chili pepper, mint. The most popular combination of cilantro with cumin. Cilantro is also included in the Indian masala and curry mix.

Benefits and harms

Coriander has a beneficial effect on the human body, it is used for depression, colds, diabetes. The essential oil contained in the spice has a strong anti-inflammatory and antiviral effect, and is excreted through the urinary system, healing the kidneys and bladder.

Despite the beneficial properties of coriander, increased consumption of cilantro can lead to negative consequences. Greens are contraindicated in violations of the myocardium, thrombophlebitis and vascular diseases. Coriander can provoke an allergic reaction, so allergy sufferers should use the product in small quantities.Including cilantro in the diet in limited quantities is also necessary for women during lactation or pregnancy.

Types of cilantro

There are a large number of coriander varieties that differ in taste characteristics, appearance, growing characteristics and other indicators. The most common among gardeners are the following types of cilantro:

Vanguard

Recommended for use as salad greens and spices. Highly aromatic variety with a yield of 1.3-1.5 kg / sq. m.

Borodino

Medium-ripening coriander variety, ripening in 40-45 days. The mass of each plant is about 25-30 g. The yield is 2.5 kg / sq. m.

Kinza-dza

Upright plant with weak branching. A distinctive feature is the absence of anthocyanin coloration of the umbrella. The average yield is 1.5-1.6 kg / sq. m.

King of the Market

Plant variety with dense vegetation. The leaves are medium in size, rich green, smooth. The main advantages of the variety include high aromaticity and resistance to frost. Productivity - 2.9 kg / sq. m.

Picnic

A fast growing type of cilantro that matures in 35 days. The leaves are large with serrated edges. Productivity - 3.2 kg / sq. m.

Lovely

A late-ripening variety of coriander. The ripening period is 35 days. Small plants up to 40 cm high. Productivity - 3.2 kg / sq. m.

Chiko

Good leafy plants 50-60 cm high. Mid-season variety grows in 40-45 days. Productivity is low - about 0.8-1.2 kg / sq. m.

Alekseevsky

A variety of cilantro plant with smooth leaves and umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Plant height 85-90 cm. Productivity - 1.4 kg / sq. m.

Ray

A compact variety of coriander weighing 20-40 g and a height of about 50 cm. The protein content is 9% and twice the standard. The yield of the plant is 1.5-1.7 kg / sq. m.

Growing

Cilantro seeds are able to germinate even at low ambient temperatures, starting from 6 degrees Celsius.You can start sowing the plant in early spring by placing the seeds in open soil. Many gardeners plant a plant in several stages, leaving breaks of two weeks between them. It is allowed to start sowing coriander from March until the end of summer. Large seeds are sown in wide rows, leaving intervals of about 40 cm. The optimal depth for seed placement is 2-3 cm.

Early shoots of coriander tolerate late frosts, up to 7 degrees below zero. At the same time, for active growth and achievement of good coriander yields, warm conditions are required - over 20 degrees Celsius.

Also, plant seedlings require the sun, so dark areas should be avoided when planting. In the absence of sun, coriander bushes will stretch upwards and will not give dense vegetation. Land for cultivation must be fertile. Regardless of the variety, it is recommended to grow cilantro after cabbage, tomatoes, legumes and potatoes.Reproduction of coriander occurs exclusively by seeds.

Care

No special care is required to ripen cilantro. It is enough to follow a few standard rules. First of all, abundant watering is important for the plant. The maximum need for watering occurs at the beginning of the growing season. During seed ripening and in the budding phase, moderate watering is required. Under the condition of long rains, the plants can not be watered, as excess moisture leads to the formation of rot.

In the first month of growing coriander, after each watering, carefully loosen the top layer of soil to improve aeration of the roots. Otherwise, the plants will significantly regress in growth. To build up dense vegetation, seedlings need to dive or thin out at the stage of growth of the second leaf.

Pests and diseases

When growing coriander, there is a risk of facing aggressive pests. The most dangerous is the coriander seed-eater, which gnaws holes in the fruit and causes significant damage to the crop. Once inside the fetus, the larva becomes activated and gnaws out the endosperm. If a pest is found on the beds, sowing of pickled seeds and constant removal of weeds with further thorough digging is required. In addition to the seed-eater, cilantro can be affected by the winter scoop, striped and umbrella bugs. The methods of dealing with them are similar, and insecticidal fertilizers can be used as an additional measure.

Among the diseases spreading to cilantro are ramulariasis and powdery mildew. Ramulariasis affects plants with excessive moisture and constant frost. Dark spots appear on the leaves of the crop, which gradually become covered with bloom. Over time, the affected plant dies. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that is quickly transferred from one plant to neighboring ones.The leaves of diseased plants begin to turn yellow and fall off. The main measures to eliminate coriander diseases are periodic top dressing, following the rules of care and seed treatment.

Harvest and storage of crops

You need to cut the vegetation before the moment when the plant will lay flower stalks. If the buds have already appeared, then the greens will acquire an unpleasant taste and begin to taste bitter. When harvesting, it is recommended to leave a small stem about 10 cm tall so that the cilantro can re-grow. At the same time, the second wave of a full-fledged crop does not always grow, and in case of growth, the leaves become smaller. Harvesting coriander can take several days with uneven planting.

There are many ways to store cilantro. At home, greens retain their beneficial properties well when left in the refrigerator. The plant can be wrapped in foil or placed in a jar.The main thing is that the cilantro is sealed and air does not enter it. Leaving fresh cilantro in an airtight tray will keep it for about 8-10 days. If necessary, to ensure long-term storage of coriander, it is better to use the methods of freezing, s alting, drying and pickling.

If you need to leave fresh herbs for the winter, it is better to dry them. To do this, wash the plant well in water and completely wash off the dust and remnants of the earth. First, the greens should dry out a little, after which they should be cut and laid out on a paper sheet in a thin layer for complete drying. You can dry coriander in a dry, well-ventilated space or in an oven preheated to 40 degrees. Dried coriander should be poured into a glass jar or bag. When dried, the shelf life is about a year.

Using the freezing method, it is possible to keep the cilantro in a rich green color.To do this, you need to wash it, let it dry, put it in plastic bags or sealed containers and put it in the freezer. At a constant temperature of -18 degrees, coriander can be stored for a year. It is better to divide the cilantro into small portions so that you can get the right amount at any time.

Coriander oil

Spice oil, created using greens, is actively used in aromatherapy, medicine and other industries. The list of useful qualities of the organic oil of the coriander plant includes antibacterial, sedative, choleretic and warming properties. By adding coriander oil to your daily diet, you can prevent the development of diseases such as gastritis, flatulence, and dyspepsia. Natural cilantro oil has been proven to promote good appetite, glandular secretion and active gastric acid production.

For preventive purposes, it is recommended to consume 1-3 drops of coriander oil mixed with honey daily.

External application of an oil product helps in the treatment of joint pain due to rheumatism or arthritis, as well as in relieving convulsive symptoms and muscle spasms. Due to the anti-infective action, coriander oil is used for skin diseases and inflammation. The calming effect of the oil relieves nervousness and improves the condition in stressful situations. The use of the product is recommended for general fatigue and decreased immunity.

Application

The healing properties of cilantro allow it to be used in folk medicine. An infusion of cilantro seeds is extremely useful in the fight against colds. Dried greens boiled in boiling water are used to eliminate bad breath. Alcohol tincture of coriander can act as a sedative for nervous disorders and hysteria. To prepare the extract, green seeds are infused with vodka.

Sometimes tea is made from the seeds of a herbaceous plant, which is a log to drink in preparation for childbirth. It is better to start drinking a drink from a plant 2-3 weeks before the planned birth. At the same time, it is important to understand that during pregnancy you need to use cilantro in a limited amount so as not to provoke probable allergic reactions.

A decoction of coriander seeds is used to treat flu and sore throats. The presence of antiseptic properties of the plant ensures rapid healing of the patient and sanitation of the oral cavity. In folk therapy, a decoction and infusion of coriander is used to treat eczema and dermatitis by applying compresses to problem areas of the skin. When washing with a coriander solution, it is possible to make the skin soft and velvety.

The plant is most widely used in cooking due to its special taste and bright aroma. The plant is used as a condiment, spice or freshly picked.Cilantro greens are added to food at the end of cooking or sprinkled on the finished dish to give a bright color and rich aroma. Coriander is suitable for pairing with any vegetable salads, low-fat soups, fish and meat dishes.

Coriander oil is actively used in cosmetology for the production of cleansing tonics and skin care lotions. Cosmetic preparations based on it are used to eliminate acne and pimples, fight flaky skin and puffiness. Creams containing cilantro are an effective drug for rejuvenating and maintaining he althy skin. Hair care products containing cilantro prevent early graying, eliminate dandruff and stabilize the secretion of the sebaceous glands.

You can also use cilantro for weight loss. The product is allowed to be used with any diet that provides for the presence of greens in the diet. Coriander stimulates the accelerated metabolism in the body.Adhering to a diet, it is recommended to snack on cocktails with vegetables and herbs. The presence of coriander in the composition of such cocktails gives strength and vigor, helps to endure training and actively lose weight.