Origin of Coriander
Coriander is an important spice crop with a critical role in flavouring food. It is a tropical crop and is typically cultivated as a Rabi season crop in severe frost-free areas during the flowering stage. Notably, all parts of the plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds are the parts traditionally used in cooking.
Botanically stands for Coriandrum Sativum L coriander belongs to Apiaceae. Originated in Mediterranean region but produced commercially in India, Morocco, Russia France and eastern European countries. However, Coriander seems to have been cultivated in Greece in the second millennium BC. Late Bronze Age invaders introduced coriander into Britain. The invaders used coriander to flavour their coriander gruel. Coriander was brought to the British colonies in North America in 1670 and was one of the first spices cultivated by early settlers.
Varieties of Coriander
Coriander can be cultivated in rainfed black cotton soil and light soil but in a proper irrigated condition. Following are the types of coriander that can be found
- Sadhana (CS-4)
- Sindhu (CS-2)
- Sudha (LCC-128)
- Swathi (CS-6)
- APHU Dhania-1 (LCC-170)
- Suguna (LCC-236)
- Suruchi (LCC-234)
- Susthira (LCC-219)
Global Production of Coriander
Country | Rank | Production Volume (in thousand MT) | Production Share |
India | 1 | 632 | 53.30% |
Russia | 2 | 91.42 | 7.70% |
Mexico | 3 | 74.79 | 6.30% |
Iran | 4 | 63.13 | 5.30% |
China | 5 | 53.30 | 4.50% |
The table shows the production of coriander globally
According to Tridge Intelligence India leads in production of coriander and covers 53.3% of market share of the world and there has been growth of 15.8% in its production. This means spice exporters and coriander manufacturers have a tremendous opportunity to boost their business globally as the competitor countries like Russia, Mexico, Iran and China are far behind in producing quality coriander, which means the buyers would always route towards India for the same.
Other countries producing coriander are Syria, Bulgaria, Egypt, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Morocco, Tunisia, Lithuania. Because of outstanding quality of soil which is the prime necessity for the growth of coriander India leads all.
Production Of Coriander In India
Being a market leader of this spice India has abundant stock of coriander ready to be exported around the world.
Production of Coriander in India (in tons) | ||||
State | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
Madhya Pradesh | 108490 | 387430 | 390550 | 370332 |
Rajasthan | 227200 | 206960 | 130200 | 77020 |
Gujarat | 138800 | 189520 | 116810 | 45418 |
Assam | 29680 | 29780 | 30790 | 21758 |
West-Bengal | 14520 | 14560 | 14950 | 14950 |
India produced 567214 tons of coriander in the year 2018-19 and the prime producer for the same was Madhya Pradesh.
The above given states are top states producing highest quality of crops forIndia including coriander. Other states producing coriander are Orrisa, Utter Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
These numbers are truly positive for spice exporters, coriander manufacturers and spice traders to one up their business, also new businessman who wants to venture into of exports & imports coriander is indeed a product for them
Global Export of Coriander
India is the major exporter, producer and consumer of Coriander in the world. The export data also backs the fact that India, being the world largest producer of coriander, dominates the world market; with major exports to Malaysia, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, US, Yemen and other Asian countries. The following chart shows the export share of top 5 countries exporting coriander.
India Exports – Coriander
India being a top exporter, exports coriander to all most all the countries who requires in a big or small amount. Since many years India have retained top position as a prime exporter of coriander. Following table shows the amount and country to whom India exports coriander.
Export of Coriander from India | ||||||
Country | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | |||
Quantity (in M.T.) | Value (in Lakhs) | Quantity (in M.T.) | Value (in Lakhs) | Quantity (in M.T.) | Value (in Lakhs) | |
Malaysia | 11931 | 13534 | 12162 | 10634 | 10565 | 7606 |
U.A.E. | 4540 | 4699 | 3782 | 3067 | 4327 | 3014 |
U.K. | 2961 | 3223 | 2557 | 2680 | 2604 | 2423 |
U.S.A. | 1322 | 2116 | 1306 | 2079 | 1677 | 2193 |
Saudi-Arabia | 2331 | 2161 | 2091 | 1748 | 2958 | 1889 |
Uses of Coriander
The young plant is used for flavoring and garnishing curries and soups. The seeds are widely used as condiments with or without roasting in the preparation of curry powders, sausages and seasonings.
It is an important ingredient in the manufacture of food flavorings, in bakery products, meat products, soda & syrups, puddings, candy preserves and liquors. Coriander oil and oleo resins are primarily used in seasonings for sausages and other meat products.
Health Benefits of Coriander and Coriander Powder
Along with day to day use coriander is also used in medicine and its benefits are mentioned in ancient Indian medicine and those facts are backed by experts of western medical science. Following are the health benefits of coriander.
- Help in Low Blood Sugar
- Rich in Immune-boosting Antioxidants
- May benefit Heart Health
- Protect Brain Health
- Promote Digestion and Gut Health
- Fights Food Born Infection
Protects Skin
It also helps in carminative, refrigerant, diuretic, and aphrodisiac in medicine. In household medicines, it is used against seasonal fever, stomach disorders, and nausea.
Because of these omni-purpose uses there is a constant demand of coriander in the market whose benefit can be leveraged by the spice exporters, corianders manufacturers and spice traders by producing and exporting coriander in bulk gaining from the same.
Some Famous Cuisines Made from Cumin Seeds
As coriander is used as seasoning spice in food, many national and continental cuisine some famous dishes made from coriander are:
- Green Zhug
- Georgian Coriander-Walnut Sauce (Kindzis Satsebela)
- Vietnamese inspired pork and coriander meatball noodle soup
- Coriander Chutney Garnishing in Salad Garlic, spinach and chickpea soup
- Spicy Potato and scrambled eggs Aloo Gobi
Names in Popular Culture
- Spain: Cilantro
- France: Corriandre
- Germany: Koriander
- Sweden: Koriander
- Arabic: Kuzhbare
- Netherlands: Koriander
- Portugal: Coentro
- Russia: Koriandr
- Japan: Koendoro
- China: Hu-sui
Names in Indian Culture
- Hindi: Dhania or Dhanya
- Bengali: Dhana, Dhania
- Gujarati: Kothmiri, Libdhaba
- Kannada: Kothambri, Kothamiri bija
- Kashmiri: Deaniwal, Kothambalari
- Malayalam: Kothumpalari bija
- Marathi: Dhana
- Oriya: Dhania
- Punjabi: Dhania
- Tamil: Kothamalli
- Telugu: Dhaniyalu
Verdict
Coriander is an important spice having prime position in seasoning the food and adding the taste and aroma to the same. As it is used in many dishes there is a constant requirement of coriander in International market which can be filled by spice exporters, spice traders and coriander manufacturers of India.