In this article, we’re explaining what coriander tastes like, how it’s different from cilantro, and how to use it in your cooking like a professional chef.
Let’s get started…
What Does Ground Coriander Taste Like?
Ground coriander is incredibly fragrant and floral. And yet, somehow, it’s savory and herbal, not at all sweet like a flower. To put it simply, it’s a spice like no other.
It’s a bit like a savory version of cardamom with dashes of lemon pepper. If you taste it by itself, it may remind you of curry as it’s usually an ingredient that sticks out in curry powder.
Ground Coriander Texture
Dried, ground spices tend to have similar textures with slight variations. Ground coriander is fine and powdery, but it’s more feathery than garlic powder. If you shake a bottle, you’ll see it clump together slightly instead of glide about like sand.
When coriander is in whole seed form, it’s firm and crunchy. The seeds are often toasted before they’re used in a recipe, but the ground spice needs no special preparation.
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What Do You Use Ground Coriander For?
As we mentioned before, curry is a popular dish for this spice. It’s a big player in Indian, Mexican and Latin American foods and pairs well with fresh vegetables, strong herbs, and zingy and peppery flavors.
Try some ground coriander in salsa or homemade guacamole, even if you use fresh cilantro—it’ll give it a more robust flavor. It’s also delicious in vegan chili.
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Do Coriander and Cilantro Taste the Same?
Here’s where things can get confusing. But don’t worry—we’ll clear everything up. You see, cilantro and ground coriander come from the same source: the coriander seed.
It’s the leafy green plant that grows from the coriander seed that people call cilantro, but sometimes it’s referred to as coriander. This is why it’s helpful to use differentiating terms like “ground coriander” “coriander seed” when talking about the whole seed or ground spice.
As it happens, coriander seed and the cilantro plant don’t taste the same. Cilantro takes on a greener flavor without the floral notes, and some people even find it soapy.
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Is There a Substitute for Ground Coriander?
The best substitute for ground coriander is going to be coriander seed or cilantro. Even though the seed and the mature plant taste different, they’re not so far apart as to be completely distinct or opposing flavors.
Depending on what you’re making, curry powder could also work in place of ground coriander, but you’ll get the other spices in the mix, too. Caraway seed is also said to be comparable.
Ground Coriander Recipe Tips
If you’ve never used this spice in your recipes, you’re in for a treat. Check out these video links to see what you can do with it.
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Carrot and coriander soup is huge in the U.K. This video will show you how to make a vegan version with a handful of ingredients. Add a touch of plant milk for a creamier soup.
Here’s what you’ll be using:
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Onions
- Salt
- Pepper
- Ground coriander
- Fresh cilantro
Make this Moroccan couscous when your weekly lunch menu gets stale. It’s colorful, flavorful and worthy of a place in your staples list.
Here are the ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Red bell pepper
- Onion
- Courgette (zucchini)
- Couscous
- Raisins
- Cumin
- Ground coriander
- Cinnamon
- Turmeric
- Black pepper
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Carrot
- Chickpeas
- Cilantro
- Fresh mint
- Fresh parsley
- Toasted almond flakes
- Pomegranate seeds
Wrap Up
Now that you know all about ground coriander, the floral, aromatic, zesty spice in curry powder, you can start cooking with it. We suggest sprinkling it into stews and salsas or trying some of the culinary delights of the world, including carrot and coriander soup and all sorts of Indian, Mexican and Moroccan dishes.
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Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
