Dhana, Coriander

Spice no. 8

What you see here in the picture looks like a seed that we call Dhana or Coriander. That however is a fruit and almost always mistaken to be the seed. I learnt this when I started growing Coriander in my Window box. The first time they did not sprout inspite of soaking them overnight. On research and talking to my agriculturist friend Nilesh Malekar I learnt that the seed is inside the hard ovoid fruit. So he told me to use a rolling pin to lightly crush the fruits and bare the seeds inside to aid germination. This makes us realize the effort in propogation of this plant that we love so much across India. 

Dhana is grown majorly in two states in India one is Rajasthan and the other MP. However Dhana is not a dessert crop. It needs a well hydrated soil but nevertheless is intense in this dessert land like no where. While Dhana is used widely in the Northern and Southern states it is agreed that everyone like a bite of  dhana in their bhajias and kababs but in curries we love the mellow woody fragrance from the powder. Fresh ground is always better. 

While the seeds are so popular nothing beats like hara dhaniya showered over everything in our Indian cuisine. Our sole pan Indian garnish! The leaves have that loving aroma but actually the aroma intensifies in the stem and roots. While in India we don't see much of the root being used. I was surprised to see it used in Thai cuisine. 

When I have tourists who come for my cooking sessions. Most declare they hate Coriander leaves even before they reach my home. They complain about the soapy taste blame it on their extra gene that is sensitive to aldehydes. However I trick them and show them how the cilantro that they desist when added in the tadka can flavor the dish so subtly. 

Our Indian cooking is truly alchemy. We use spices to give heat and then we use coriander to reduce that heat. Coriander soaked in water is a digestive. In pickles dhana is the one that balances heat and also acts as preservative. The Egyptians knew this in 1500 BCE but then this is one spice which finds presence is Greek history records as old as 7000 BCE. Coriander seeds are found across the world and it doe give a feeling that this grew really wild.

My favorite uses of Coriander are rough crushed that lends beautiful aroma to the dish while the powder gives body to curries and sambar. Cilantro is Spanish word but the Portuguese are the bigger user of it after India.

The most unique usage of Dhana is its dal as a mouth freshner and we must thank Gujarat for processing it and making it popular.