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INTRODUCTION
A native of the Mediterranean, coriander is
the dried ripe fruit of an annual herb with several branches and serrated
leaves. During the Middle Ages, coriander is believed to have been used
in love potions. The great Arabian classic 'Thousand And One Nights' often
refers to this spice as an aphrodisiac. The name 'coriander' is based on
the Greek work 'kopis' which means 'bug'. The whole plant, when freshly
bruised, gives out a peculiarly strong, rather obnoxious odour similar to
that associated with bugs. Happily, when the plant grows and matures, these
disagreeable traits are wholly lost and the ripe fruits are completely free
from them.
A fragrant spice, coriander is today valued as much for its medicinal properties
as for its use as a condiment. It finds extensive application in several
kinds of foods, beverages, liquors and perfumes. Coriander requires full
exposure to sunlight but with less heat and medium-to-heavy loamy soil,
good drainage and well-distributed moisture. Since many parts of India meets
all these conditions, coriander is a thriving crop in this country. Since
the Indian farmers prefer organic cultivation, the quality is good.
The major producers of Indian coriander are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh,
Tamilnadu and Madhya Pradesh. The main importers are USA, the UK, Malaysia,
Singapore, Sri Lanka and Middle East. Besides coriander as such, India also
exports its powder and essential oil.
BOTANICAL NAME
Coriandrum sativam L.
FAMILY NAME
Apiaceae
NAME IN INTERNATIONAL
LANGUAGES
| Spanish : |
Culantro |
| French : |
Corriandre |
| German : |
Koriander |
| Swedish : |
Koriander |
| Arabic : |
Kuzhbare |
| Dutch : |
Koriander |
| Portuguese : |
Coentro |
| Russian : |
Koriandr |
| Japanese : |
Koendoro |
| Chinese : |
Hu-sui |
COMMERCIAL PART
Leaf and seed
GRADE SPECIFICATIONS
Grade designations and
definition of quality of Coriander seeds (Dhania)
| Special characteristics |
| Grade Designation |
Extraneous matter percentage by weight maximum |
Split seeds percentage by weight maximum |
Blackened and insect bored seeds percentage by
weight maximum |
Shrivelled and immature seeds percentage by weight
maximum |
Moisture percentage by weight maximum |
| Special |
1.5 |
10.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
10.0 |
General characteristics:
Coriander seeds shall
- Be the dried mature fruits of the plant
botanically known as (Coriandrum sativam L.);
- Be free from visible mould, live insects,
any harmful foreign matter and musty odour;
- Generally conform to the characteristic
size, shape, taste, colour and aroma of the variety / type.
Definitions:
- Extraneous matter means dust, dirt, stones,
earth, chaff, stalks, stems, straw or any other foreign matter.
- Split seeds are those fruits which have
split longitudinally.
- Damaged and blackened seeds are those fruits
or split fruits which are blackened materially affecting the quality.
- Insect bored seeds are those fruits or split
fruits which are partially or wholly bored or eaten by weevils or other
insects.
- Shrivelled and immature seeds are those
fruits which are not properly developed.
Grade designations
and definition of quality of Coriander Ground
| Special characteristics |
| Grade Designation |
Total ash percentage by weight maximum |
Ash insoluble in HCL percentage by weight maximum |
Moisture percentage by weight maximum |
| Standard |
7.0 |
1.5 |
10.0 |
General characteristics:
Powdered coriander shall be the produce obtained
by grinding pure, clean dried fruits of the coriander plant (Coriandrum
sativam) only and shall be free from any extraneous matter, added colouring
matter and preservatives. It shall also be free from damage by insect, pest
and/or fungus contamination or mould growth and from any extraneous or undesirable
odour of flavour.
Note: Particle size as specified by the buyer
PRODUCTION
Highest Yearly Production : 220500 Tonnes
HARVESTING SEASON
November to April
MARKETING SEASON
January to June |
