cilantro

/səˈlɑntroʊ/

/sɪˈlɑntrəʊ/

Cilantro is a strong, distinctive-smelling herb that's often used in Mexican and Indian cooking. While cilantro looks very similar to parsley, its flavor is much stronger.

Cilantro is also known as coriander, as are its dried seeds. The fresh herb is often added to dishes just before serving, like Indian dal and Mexican guacamole, and mixed into Indian chutneys. Interestingly, people taste cilantro in completely different ways — cilantro lovers describe it as having a lemony flavor, while haters say it tastes like soap. Cilantro is a Spanish word, from the Latin coliandrum, "coriander."

Definitions of cilantro

1. noun

   Old World herb with aromatic leaves and seed resembling parsley
   synonyms: Chinese parsley, Coriandrum sativum, coriander, coriander plant

   type of:

   herb, herbaceous plant

   a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
2. noun

   parsley-like herb used as seasoning or garnish
   synonyms: Chinese parsley, coriander

   type of:

   herb

   aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities