The fruit of the coriander plant contains two seeds which, when dried, are the portions used as the dried spice. When ripe, the seeds are yellowish-brown in color with longitudinal ridges. Coriander seeds are available whole or in ground powder form.
This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Cilantro/Coriander seeds provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Cilantro/Coriander seeds can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Cilantro/Coriander seeds, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spice Description
Coriander is the seed of a small plant. The seeds are almost spherical, one end being slightly pointed, the other slightly flattened. There are many longitudinal ridges. The length of the seed is 3 - 5 mm (1/8” - 3/16”) and the colour, when dried, is usually brown, but may be green or off white. The seed is generally sold dried and in this state is apt to split into halves to reveal two partially hollow hemispheres and occasionally some internal powdery matter. Coriander is available both whole and ground. The fresh leaves of the plant are called cilantro and are used as an herb.
Bouquet: Seeds are sweet and aromatic when ripe. Unripe seeds are said to have an offensive smell. The leaves have a distinctive fragrance.
Flavour: The seeds are warm, mild and sweetish. There is a citrus undertone similar to orange peel. The leaves combine well with many pungent dishes from India, Mexico and the Middle East.
Coriander extended nutritional details
| Water | 0.44 g |
| Energy | 15 kcal |
| Energy | 62 kj |
| Protein | 0.62 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.89 g |
| Ash | 0.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 2.75 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.1 g |
| Sugars, total | ~ g |
| Calcium, Ca | 35 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.82 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 20 mg |
| Potassium, K | 63 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 2 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.24 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.049 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.095 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 1.3 mcg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.012 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.015 mg |
| Niacin | 0.107 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | ~ mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | ~ mg |
| Folate, total | ~ mcg |
| Folic acid | ~ mcg |
| Folate, food | ~ mcg |
| Folate, DFE | ~ mcg_DFE |
| Vitamin B-12 | ~ mcg |
| Vitamin A, IU | ~ IU |
| Vitamin A, RAE | ~ mcg_RAE |
| Retinol | ~ mcg |
| Vitamin E, added | ~ mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.05 g |
| 14:0 | 0.001 g |
| 16:0 | 0.041 g |
| 18:0 | 0.006 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.679 g |
| 16:1 undifferentiated | 0.005 g |
| 18:1 undifferentiated | 0.674 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.088 g |
| 18:2 undifferentiated | 0.088 g |
| Cholesterol | ~ mg |
| Phytosterols | 2 mg |
Breakdown
Daily Values
Legend
Fat 
Protein 
Carbs 
Alcohol 
OtherCoriander Nutritional Analysis
Good points
- Low in saturated fat
- No cholesterol
- Very low in sodium
- No sugar
- Very high in calcium
- Very high in dietary fiber
- Very high in iron
- Very high in manganese
- Very high in magnesium
- High in phosphorus
- High in potassium
- High in selenium
- High in vitamin C
- High in zinc
Health Benefits of Coriander
Nutrition Grade
96% confidence
96% confidence
- Swellings: Cineole, one of the 11 components of the essential oils, and linoleic acid, present in coriander, possess anti rheumatic and anti arthritic properties, which are very beneficial for swelling caused due to these two reasons. For others, such as swelling due to malfunctioning of kidney or anemia, it is seen to be effective to some extent, as some of the components help excretion of extra water from the body while.
- High Cholesterol Levels: Some of the acids present in coriander viz. linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin-C) are very effective in reducing the cholesterol level in the blood. They also reduce the cholesterol deposition along the inner walls of the arteries and veins.
- Diarrhea: Some of the components of essential oils in coriander such as Borneol and Linalool, aid digestion, proper functioning of liver and bonding of bowels, helping cure diarrhea. It is also helpful in diarrhea caused by microbial and fungal action, since components like Cineole, Borneol, Limonene, Alpha-pinene & beta-phelandrene have anti bacterial effects. In addition, the fresh coriander leaves are excellent appetizers.
- Mouth Ulcers: Citronelol, a component of essential oils in coriander, is an excellent antiseptic. In addition, other components have anti microbial and healing effects which do not let wounds and ulcers in the mouth go worse. They aid healing up of ulcers and freshen up the breath.
- Anemia: Coriander is good in iron content which directly helps curing anemia.
- Digestion: Coriander, due to its rich aroma because of its essential oils, apart from being an excellent appetizer, helps in proper secretion of enzymes and digestive juices in the stomach, stimulates digestion and peristaltic motion. It is helpful in treating problems like anorexia.
- Small Pox: The essential oils in coriander are rich in anti microbial, anti oxidant, anti infectious and detoxifying components and acids. The presence of vitamin-C and iron strengthen the immune system too. These properties help prevent and cure small pox. They also reduce the pain and have a soothing effect on pox patients.
- Menstrual Disorders: Being stimulating in nature and helping proper secretion from the endocrine glands, it also helps proper secretion of the hormones and thereby inducing proper menstrual cycles and reducing pains etc. during periods.
- Eye Care: Coriander has lots of anti oxidants, vitamin-A, vitamin-C and minerals like phosphorus in the essential oils in it which prevents aging of eye, macular degeneration and soothes eyes against stress.
- Conjunctivitis: As discussed earlier, coriander is a very good disinfectant and has anti microbial properties which protect the eyes from contagious diseases like conjunctivitis.
- Skin Disorders: The disinfectant, detoxifying, anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties of cumin are ideal for curing skin disorders such as eczema, dryness and fungal infections.
- Blood Sugar: Due the stimulating effect of cumin on the endocrine glands, the secretion of insulin is increased from pancreas which increases the insulin level in the blood, thereby helping proper assimilation and absorption of sugar and resultant fall in the sugar level in the blood. This property is very beneficial for the diabetes patients and others too.
- Other benefits: Still want more from it? You get it! Coriander helps cure ulcer, inflammation, spasm and acts as an expectorant, protects and soothes liver. It is anti-carcinogenic, anti-convulsant, anti-histaminic and hypnotic. Coriander is believed to be a natural aphrodisiac and previously it was extensively used in certain preparations, combined with other herb
