Coriander, also known as Chinese parsley or Coriandrum sativum, is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. Coriander is fresh and zesty and will add a touch of flavor to your recipes. It is widely used in Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean, Chinese, African, and even Scandinavian cuisines. It's even grown as a coriander microgreen!
Most people prefer to use fresh coriander because the herb itself does not have a very long shelf life and loses taste and aroma as it dries. It is always a good idea to grow some cilantro plants in the garden to have cilantro on hand.
Even if you don't use coriander leaves in your recipes, you can still harvest the plant for its aromatic coriander seeds, better known as cilantro. Since cilantro grows easily in the garden, you can enjoy the leaves of the plants in spring and summer and then have them sowed at that time!
To ensure a steady supply of cilantro, you need to learn how to properly harvest your plants. Helpful, we're going to discuss that today! Read on to find out everything you need to know about harvesting coriander.
When should I harvest coriander plants?
If you know how to harvest cilantro, stay stocked. Source: World to Table
Regular and proper harvesting can extend the life of the coriander plants. However, it is important for your plant to establish itself before you start harvesting.
As the plant grows, it produces many long, slender stems. When the leaves are pointed and the stems are long, they are ready to be harvested. At this point, the coriander herbs are ten to twelve inches tall. Harvest your coriander in the spring and early summer growing season. If summer full sun conditions turn out to be too hot weather for your plants, they can turn into seeds.
The ideal time to harvest coriander is in the morning. Harvest once a week or take individual leaves as needed. It usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks to regrow. So harvest accordingly. Remember, regular harvesting is best as the plant is busy producing foliage.
How to harvest coriander
When the white coriander flowers fade, seed pods form. Source: Cristinacards
Harvesting is for sure the most exciting part of growing plants. Harvest coriander leaves one at a time if you only need a few. If you are harvesting larger quantities of cilantro, it is best to leave at least 1 to 2 inches of stems above the soil surface, preferably with a few lower leaves to sustain the herbs until the plant grows back. Use sharp, sterilized secateurs or shears to cleanly cut the stems.
If you are growing cilantro in limited quantities, it is best to only take a small portion of the plant at a time to ensure your herbs grow back properly. In addition, the coriander herb can take on a bitter taste when the plant blooms and turns into seeds. The leaves are less desirable at this point, so it is better to harvest before screwing the plant.
How to store fresh coriander
Before you have harvested, it is best to decide how much to take from the garden. If you don't plan on using the leaves right away, there is a need to learn how to store cilantro to make it last longer. There are several methods to try.
Store coriander in water
After harvesting, wait for your coriander to be washed to keep the leaves dry. Place the stem ends in a glass or jar of 1 to 1.5 inches of water and refrigerate for up to a few days. Change the water at least once a day. To help maintain moisture around the herbs, cover the top loosely with a plastic bag.
Store coriander in the freezer
Wash and chop the cilantro if you want to freeze it for later use. Source: Wader
Another low-maintenance method of storing cilantro is freezing. Rinse the leaves to remove garden soil and shake off any excess moisture. Chop the leaves into small pieces and pack them in ice cube trays, adding just enough water to cover the herb. If desired, you can measure in advance so that you know exactly how much is in each cube for future recipes. After freezing completely, place the cubes in a freezer bag. Use in soups, sauces, smoothies, marinades, etc. if necessary. Frozen coriander can last up to 6 to 8 months.
How to dry coriander
There are several ways to dry coriander. Coriander can be dried in the oven. However, if you want to enjoy really flavorful dried coriander, you should avoid heat, as the hot air can significantly affect the taste of the finished and dried herb.
A better way to dry coriander is to air dry or hang dry. Arrange the herb stalks in a small bundle and tie them with string. Hang the bundle upside down in a well-ventilated, dark place. You can also tie a brown paper bag around the bundle to prevent dust from building up on your cilantro.
Once the pile has been hanging for about a week, check how dry it is every day or two. If it crumbles on contact, it can be crushed or pulverized and saved for later use.
Let the coriander harden before long-term storage to minimize the risk of mold. Put the dried coriander in a mason jar to harden. Shake the jar thoroughly every day to mix the contents once opened and to let fresh air into the jar. This will help balance out the moisture levels. You can also add a moisture wicking package if you'd like.
How to harvest coriander seeds
When the coriander pods are ready to be harvested, they are green to brown in color. Source: Aftab
Even if you're not a huge fan of cilantro leaves or find that you like them like soap, you can harvest the plant for coriander seeds. Temperatures must be consistently above 75 degrees for the plant to flower. At this point, it can grow up to 20 inches in height. Once it has flowered, pods will form as the flowers fade. These should be green to brown in color before harvest. When the coriander seeds are done, these pods will drop the ripe seed.
To harvest the seeds, tie the stems with the attached seed pods in a bundle and hang them upside down in a paper bag in a cool and dry place. The seeds will pop out over time and fall into the bag.
Store your seeds in an airtight container in a cool and dry place. Dried seeds that have not been ground can be stored for 3 to 4 years. For ideal flavor, grind dried seeds before using them in your recipes.
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