Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is an annual herb in the Apiaceae family native to regions spanning from Southern Europe and Northern Africa to Southwestern Asia. One of the oldest known spices, coriander was once considered an aphrodisiac and was often added to love potions.

The word coriander comes from the Greek word koris, meaning stink bug. Thankfully not indicative of the botanical's taste, the name was given because of the odor coriander plants give off when bruised. While the botanical's seeds have a warm, nutty flavor, its stems and leaves, otherwise known as cilantro, can taste like citrus or soap, depending on whether or not you possess the OR6A2 receptor gene.

Most coriander today is produced in Morocco, Romania, and Egypt, with small quantities of the plant produced in China and India. A tender herb growing to be only 20 inches tall, the coriander plant produces small, white-pink flowers that are borne in umbel clusters. Its leaves - known as cilantro - are frequently used in Mexican and South Asian cuisine to lend a light, citrusy taste, while its roots offer a much stronger flavor to be used in Thai soups and curries. Coriander seeds, with their herbal nuttiness, are often added to garam masala, and are used to flavor everything from sausages to Belgian wheats to pickled vegetables.

Outside of its culinary uses, coriander is used frequently in tonics and cough medicines. Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, recommended the use of coriander as a medicine, used to treat everything from digestive ailments to joint pain. In the Bible, coriander is mentioned in reference to manna, a food miraculously given to the Israelites during their travels in the desert. The passage simply reads, "Like a coriander seed, white." The passage says little of the spice's significance, other than its prevalence during Biblical times. Coriander seeds have been found in ruins dating back to 5000 BCE, cementing it as one of the oldest known spices.

During the Medieval and Renaissance periods, coriander was thought to be an aphrodisiac and was often added to love potions and wine to increase desire and stimulate passion. It is famous for its mention in Arabian Nights, where it was used in a tincture to cure a merchant of impotence.

In gin, coriander is one of the staple botanicals, falling second only to juniper. The two ingredients complement each other so well because they both contain alpha-pinene, a terpene that gives off a fresh, piney taste.

Found in: AMASS Dry Gin