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The unique taste and piquant aroma have made cilantro a favorite seasoning in cuisines around the world. Few people know that it is in dried coriander (the second name of the spice) that the greatest amount of useful components is preserved. There are many ways to dry cilantro and its seeds.
Benefits of dried cilantro
Due to the rich chemical composition and a large amount of vitamins, the herb has firmly established itself in the list of healthy plants.
Cilantro (after drying) has a beneficial effect on the body:
- removes slags and toxins;
- has a general tonic effect;
- increases immunity;
- reduces nervous strain, fatigue;
- saturates blood cells with useful trace elements;
- cleans the walls of the teeth and the oral cavity from plaque;
- prevents the formation of blood clots, cleanses blood vessels;
- helps eliminate excess fluid;
- has an antibacterial effect.
Ailments that the herb helps to cope with:
- joint pain, arthritis;
- helminths;
- hernia pain;
- nausea, diarrhea;
- fungal or bacterial infections;
- caries;
- flatulence;
- hemorrhoids;
- convulsions;
- measles.
Failure to properly store or dry cilantro results in general weakness, dizziness, and indigestion. Molds that are invisible to the human eye develop on the leaves of the grass, which cause the disease.
Is it possible to dry cilantro for the winter
Cilantro can be consumed after drying. This method allows you to save micro- and macroelements in the seasoning almost in full composition.
Collection and preparation for drying
They collect cilantro for drying when the grass branches have reached a height of 12-15 cm. The main thing is that the coriander does not have time to throw away the umbrellas. Cilantro for drying is harvested in the morning, when the dew has come down, in dry, fine weather. Grass branches are cut close to the ground.
With the advent of inflorescences, cilantro leaves become rough, begin to taste bitter.
Stages of preparing the product for drying:
- Cilantro is sorted out, damaged, sluggish, yellowed branches are removed.
- The grass is collected in bunches, so it is easier to wash it. Collect water in a bowl, wash the cilantro several times. The liquid must remain clean after lowering.
- The cilantro is laid out on paper towels, allowed to drain for 20-30 minutes. If the greens lie in the fresh air for longer, the leaves of the grass will begin to wither.
If the cilantro has outgrown, umbrellas have appeared on it, do not be upset. Coriander seeds are also suitable for drying for the winter. They are used in the preparation of meat dishes and marinades.
How to dry cilantro at home
There are four ways to get a quality product by drying:
- outdoors;
- in an electric dryer;
- in the oven;
- in the microwave.
Most of the useful components remain with cilantro, dried in a natural environment and an electric dryer. But in the first case, dust settles on the product. When drying in an electric oven, you should monitor the temperature. If it is too high, it will destroy all the vitamins and trace elements of the herb.
Outdoors
To preserve the rich color of the product, the maximum of useful components, aroma and taste, do not leave cilantro to dry in direct sunlight. This will turn the coriander into hay.
The optimum ambient temperature for obtaining high-quality raw materials is +25…+30ᵒС
The rules that should be followed if we dry cilantro for the winter at home:
- Prepared bunches of grass are placed on thick paper or towels. They will absorb excess moisture that evaporates during the drying process.
- As soon as the grass leaves begin to darken, turn the cilantro from time to time. It is necessary to ensure that the greens dry evenly.
- When bunches of cilantro are evenly tied up, acquire an even bottle-green color, they are suspended so that air circulates freely between bundles.
In an electric dryer
In an electric dryer, you can dry cilantro greens for the winter, and keep the leaves green. The main thing is to set the temperature correctly.
An algorithm for drying cilantro in an electric dryer while retaining useful components:
- Arrange the sorted, washed leaves and grass stalks on pallets.
- The drying temperature is set: minimum + 35ᵒС, maximum – + 50ᵒС. Higher temperatures will cause the essential oils of the herb to break down. They will just fly away.
- If there is one of the options “Fruit”, “Vegetables” or “Grass”, set any of these modes.
Drying cilantro in an electric dryer takes at least 3-4 hours. At this time, it is recommended to change the trays with grass in places several times. If necessary, air dry the cilantro. It is left for several hours in a place protected from light.
In the oven
You should resort to drying cilantro in the oven, as a last resort, if it is not possible to use other methods of harvesting spices for the winter. The main condition is to set the minimum temperature so that the essential oils are preserved in the product.
How to dry cilantro in the oven:
- A layer of parchment paper is covered on the pallet. Place cilantro ready for drying on top.
- The baking sheet is placed on the top shelf, the appliance is turned on, the temperature is set within + 35 … + 40 ᵒС, while the door is not closed.
- Drying takes two to four hours. During this time, the cilantro is mixed several times.
- After the specified time has elapsed, the oven is switched off from the power supply. Cool the cilantro at room temperature. If necessary, the seasoning is dried in natural conditions.
In the microwave
If you need to dry cilantro quickly, with minimal energy consumption, a microwave oven is the best option.
Algorithm of actions:
- The grass is washed before drying, dried with paper towels, thick tails are cut off.
- The bottom of the microwave dish is covered with a layer of paper towels.
- The grass is laid out in a thin layer, covered with another paper towel on top. During drying, it will absorb the moisture released by the greenery.
- The form is sent to the microwave, turn on for 1-2 minutes.
- The grass is mixed. A few more times turn on for 20-30 seconds.
The cilantro is ready when the grass starts to crumble in your hands.
How to dry coriander seeds
Seeds ripen by the end of summer, but unevenly. They are harvested when more than half of the crop is ripe. Then the losses will be minimal, and unripe seeds will reach the condition during the drying process.
The collection of raw materials is carried out when 60-70% of the grains are ripe
How to dry cilantro seeds:
- The aerial part of the plant, along with umbrellas, is carefully cut with a sharp knife to reduce the loss of raw materials.
- The stems are placed in cardboard boxes, caps down. Cilantro is transferred to the attic or any other room where there is good air ventilation and a high temperature remains during the day.
- Bunches are formed from the stems, they are hung upside down. A fabric is spread under the plantation.
- During the drying process, the cilantro seeds will crumble onto the bedding. For complete drying of the raw material, at least two weeks are required.
- After the specified time, the hats are additionally rubbed to collect the remnants.
The collected raw material is screened. Grass seeds are ready to be used for their intended purpose in culinary recipes.
How to store correctly
Immediately after the end of the procedure, packing cilantro for storage is not recommended. It is necessary to leave the grass in the air so that the residual moisture evaporates.
Dried cilantro is best stored in a ceramic (glass) container. In such containers, the workpiece will not suffer from temperature changes. In extreme cases, you can use linen bags.
Dried cilantro is stored in a dark, cool room, avoiding direct sunlight.
If during this time spots appeared on the raw material, it changed color or aroma, it is better to dispose of the grass.
Cooking application
Regardless of how cilantro was dried, it has a bitter taste, a thick spicy aroma.
How dried cilantro is used in cooking:
- a pinch of seasoning is added to the first courses, giving it a rich taste;
- whole sprigs are put in marinades for meat. So they are easier to catch and remove during cooking;
- in the main dishes (kebab, beef, lamb), the workpiece is introduced at the end of cooking.
Cilantro goes well with gravies, tomato sauces. It is served with adjika.
When using spices in food, the main thing is to add cilantro in small quantities.
Contraindications to use
No matter how useful the seasoning is, it has a number of contraindications for use. When to stop eating cilantro:
- Two weeks before surgery. The herb cilantro significantly reduces blood sugar levels. This can adversely affect the patient’s condition during surgery;
- Cilantro after drying can cause allergies. It manifests itself in people suffering from reactions to parsley, dill and other herbs.
- Diabetics should use cilantro with caution after drying. To avoid critical consequences, it is recommended to carefully monitor blood sugar levels.
- No one has conducted research on how cilantro greens affect a woman and a fetus during pregnancy. It is also not recommended to use spice during lactation.
People suffering from hypotension can include cilantro after drying in the diet. But it should be remembered that it lowers blood pressure.
Conclusion
There are several ways to dry cilantro at home. Each of them has its own subtleties. The main thing is to properly prepare the raw materials for drying, then monitor the state of the spice. If dark spots appear on the leaves, they change color or aroma, such coriander is not suitable for further storage. Weed will do more harm than good.
