How to tell the difference between parsley and cilantro?
I show you here how to distinguish these 2 aromatic herbs.
Because if to the eye they are very close, the taste is not the same at all.
And it would be a shame to make a mistake in a recipe.
It was my cook friend who gave me his tips for recognizing these two plants that are widely used in the kitchen.
Here are 6 infallible techniques to easily distinguish these 2 herbs . Watch:
Contents
The best cooks among you will tell me that parsley and coriander cannot be confused.
And it's true!
In cooking, we most often use curly parsley.
This one is easily recognizable thanks to its very cut and curly leaves.
Where it gets tricky is when you use flat-leaf parsley.
Because it has almost the same leaf shape as coriander .
And distinguishing them is not so simple.
Personally, I hate cilantro. So recognizing it is absolutely essential.
If you have lynx eyes, you will be able to distinguish shades of green.
Indeed, flat-leaf parsley has leaves of an intense and shiny dark green.
Whereas those of coriander are a little lighter.
Put yourself in the light of day and look closely at the two branches to discern them.
Sometimes the color difference is not so clear.
This is where you have to put your nostrils into action.
Parsley has a milder, more subtle smell .
If you put your nose to cilantro, the difference is quite clear. The smell is more powerful.
The most connoisseurs can distinguish the two thanks to the shape of the leaves.
Here is my tip:
The flat-leaf parsley leaf is more pointed...
... while the other is more chiseled and more rounded.
Obviously, if you have the opportunity to taste, the response is immediate.
Fresh coriander has a characteristic and very pronounced taste.
It has flavors of fresh, slightly spicy citrus fruits.
Personally, I feel like I'm eating poor quality soap, that's why I don't like it.
Parsley has a much more discreet taste . Some would say almost non-existent.
If you are used to consuming only the leaves, you should know that these are not the only edible parts.
For parsley:the leaves, stems and root are edible.
For cilantro:the leaves, stems, seeds and root are.
If it's just to add a little color to your dishes, then yes!
You can substitute one for the other.
But if you are looking for a specific flavor, then you should avoid swapping them.
Why ? Because the taste of coriander is very specific, and parsley cannot compete.
In any case, each of its two herbs is rich in nutrients and vitamins A, C and K.