Coriander vs Cilantro vs Parsley – Here’s the Difference Explained

For long there has been quite some misconception between Coriander and Cilantro, but not anymore. In fact, Coriander and Cilantro are two different names of the same original herb.

While Cilantro refers to the vegetative stage of the plant, coriander refers to the later stages where seeds are formed. So, the seeds are referred as coriander while the leaf/stalk part is referred as Cilantro. The confusion moreover rather arises from British/Asian and American/Spanish usage wherein former call it Coriander and latter refer it as Cilantro.

Fresh cilantro is overall 92.2% water while coriander seeds contain 8.9% water. Cilantro thus has lower levels of minerals compared to coriander seeds. While Cilantro has a citrusy, refreshing taste; coriander features a spicier, warm taste. Also, coriander cannot be substituted for Cilantro due to the distinct taste profiles these have.

Cilantro has yet to prove its point against parsley – a green herb that looks deceivingly similar to cilantro. Belonging to Apiaceae botanical family, Parsley is a “biannual” herb; Cilantro, on the contrary, is an “annual” herb.

Appearance-wise, Parsley features small and pointed curly leaves. Conversely, the flat-leaved herb Cilantro features a three-lobed leaves structure with each leaf tip having saw-tooth like appearance. The leaf tip is rather rounded than pointed, as in flat-leaved Parsley. Also, Cilantro is deep green in colour, unlike its sibling parsley.

The distinctive taste and smell of Cilantro also sets it apart from Parsley. Parsley gives a mild grassy smell, much pungent than Cilantro, when rubbed. Cilantro gives soap or lotion-like smell and a taste with citrusy undertones.

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