Coriander

The ancient Chinese believed that anyone who ate coriander could become immortal. In the Middle East and Europe it was thought to be a love potion or aphrodisiac. It was one of the ingredients in the love potion prepared by the hashish seller in the story of Ala-al-Din Abu-al in the Arabian Nights.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is a sandy yellow-brown, the color of toasted mustard, similar to the color of cumin. In the herb form the favoring is called cilantro or Chinese parsley. When the seeds are dried and ground it becomes coriander. Coriander is one of the oldest known spices in recorded use; the Romans used it to flavor bread. The spice has culinary, medicinal and household uses and it is used to mask unpleasant tastes and odors of pharmaceuticals.