Coriandrum sativum
Source
I've never grown cilantro before.
Hell, last year was the first time I really planted herbs and actually used them in cooking. I know that seems really lame, considering I'm 35 and had never understood the importance of herbs. I already have sage, lavender, and rosemary growing beautifully outside. Next Spring I'll add this cilantro to my herb garden, as well as chives, and thyme. I had thyme this season and I loved it. Too bad the variety I had is not winter hardy. Next Spring's will be though.
Cilantro needs full sun or light shade. Apparently it will "bolt" in hot weather so I will have to watch for that. I will also need to stagger my sowing by 2-3 weeks to ensure I will have fresh cilantro all season long.
Other things I'm considering for my garden this year are Parisienne carrots, Chinese Five Color peppers, and others I haven't posted about yet. All my seeds will come from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds which is located just an hour from my home! You should check out their site. All orders come with a free packet of seeds!
Thanks for checking out what I want to grow next year. Stay tuned for more! Up next, Corbaci peppers!
I have never been real fond of cilantro for some reason. I usually replace it in my recipes with parsley.
What do you use it for?
I'm with you on that. To me, it tastes like soap.
That's actually a thing 4-14% of people have a genetic thing with their tastebuds where it registers it as soap. Source.
You mean I'm not just crazy? Yay! I always thought I was just odd for feeling like a piece of soap was put in my mouth with every bite. No matter how well disguised it is, I can always taste that soap.
I've never used it myself, but I have had it in dishes at restaurants and I liked it. I have heard that a lot of people think it tastes like soap. The difference in people's tastebuds is amazing!
Hubby is one of those that says it tastes like soap. I've found, though, that if I let the dish (usually salsa) sit for a half hour or so, that flavor dissipates and settles into just adding 'cool, fresh' note. Experiment and see what y'all think..
Good to know! Just growing it will be an experiment.
I make a BBQ chicken pizza and top it with cilantro it makes all the difference.
Mmmm! I bet that's wonderful!
I think cilantro tastes like Windex, but I grow an awful lot of it because the seed it puts off are coriander. I mix the coriander with pepper corns in my grinder and it's super delish.
I heart Baker Creek so much! We attend their Planting Festival every year. It's as good as Christmas for us. Maybe I'll run into you there this year!
That would be awesome! I honestly never cook with either, but I'm open to experimentation! I had no idea coriander came from cilantro. I wish there were Steemit Homesteading t-shirts. Then we could find all of us who attend!
Steemit Homesteading T's! That's an awesome idea. That way we don't have to plan to meet right there, at that time. I'm always late and lost, not to mention distracted and flighty! lol We'll just recognize each other! I hear there are quite of few of you living right there so close together, and a few in northern Arkansas. Surely there would be enough of us there to make the t-shirts worth it!
You're right, but I have no idea how to go about it. :( Time to do some research!
Well, I love a good excuse to make a t-shirt. Or in my case a tank top. I'm year round in tank tops! :P
It's really cool you live that close to them, I've heard nothing but wonderful things about that company.
Their Spring Planting Festival is awesome! We plan on bringing our little yellow wagon this year so I can really load up!
Believe it or not, I've had the best luck with overwintering Cilantro, it really hates hot weather, does best in the spring and fall. Plant some for the seed in late spring, and you'll get a nice yield of coriander and seed for next year. I love cilantro, one of my favorite herbs and we grow a shit load of it. We're Puerto Rican, so we use a lot of it to make Sofrito, the best!
Good to know! Thanks for the advice, @theferalone! I'll try to keep them out of the super hot afternoon sun when summer comes.
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