Coriander

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) of the Apiaceae family is a strong-smelling annual herb extensively grown in many climates throughout the world. The major producers of coriander are India, Russia, Ukraine, Morocco, Argentina, Mexico, and Romania. Other countries that produce at least some coriander by geographical region are the following: the Near East (Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey), the Middle East (Kazakhstan, Bhutan, Pakistan, Kyrgyztan, and Tadjikistan), the Far East (China, Burma, and Thailand), the Americas (Chile, Argentina, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the USA, Paraguay, and Canada), Africa (Algeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Tunisia, and Somalia), and Europe (Bulgaria, England, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, France, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands, and Yugoslavia). India is in leading position as far as cultivation, production, and export of coriander are concerned. Although coriander is a tropical crop, it is successfully grown on a wide range of conditions, generally grown in all types of soil and needing less input (fertilizers and other chemicals). It requires a cool climate in the early stages of growth and warm dry weather at maturity. To obtain good luster of seed with yield, the harvesting should be done when 50% seeds turn yellow. Coriander (Dhania) powder means the product obtained by grinding clean, round, dried mature fruits of coriander; it should have typical aroma and should be free from mustiness. This chapter attempts to present a holistic view of coriander briefly covering various topics such as origin, botany, germplasm, varieties, crop management, processing, and prospects for the future.