Whether you are a keen gardener or not, it is very easy to grow nutritious seedlings or herbs on a windowsill. Purchased from a local garden centre, I am currently growing coriander seeds as microgreens on my kitchen windowsill, together with a pot bought from the fruit and veg section in a local supermarket.

Here is a quick link to the Royal Horticultural Society’s tutorial on how simple it is to grow your own microgreens from seeds:

Besides the Spanish name cilantro, coriander is also known as Chinese parsley as it is it has been cultivated in China for millennia. As a popular herb, it is also indigenous to the Middle East and the Mediterranean region. More than just a tasty garnish, this vibrant herb brings a bundle of health benefits to the table.

Antioxidant Power

Coriander is packed with antioxidants like linalool, quercetin and terpinene, together with vitamins like folate (B9) and vitamin C. As part of a healthful diet, regular intake of these compounds has been shown to help to:

• Neutralise free radicals in the body
• Reduce inflammation
• Protect cells from oxidative stress
• The vibrant green leaves also contain dietary fibre to support gut health

You can read more about its many benefits in Spices Series Coriander: Overview of Potential Health Benefits by Keith Singletary, PhD.

Coriander in your kitchen

This wonder herb is a culinary chameleon; it works beautifully in everything from zesty chutneys to hearty curries. Here are a few standout ideas that showcase its versatility:

• For a tasty summer lunch, try Jamie Oliver’s carrot and coriander crunch salad
• Coriander pesto is so easy to put together and makes an interesting change from the basil one
• Try Nigella’s lime and coriander chicken for a zesty main course
• Spice things up with this super-easy chunky guacamole from Good Food
• Homemade lemon and coriander hummus is so easy you don’t even need a recipe – just whizz up chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil, with a handful of coriander

Herbs and spices have been used in foods from early times for seasoning as well as to increase shelf life of food and to underpin good health

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): Processing, nutritional and functional aspects by Bhat, S., et al. (2014).