Cilantro is a versatile herb used in many dishes, from Mexican to Asian cuisine. It has a fresh, slightly citrusy flavor that enhances the taste of other ingredients. Likewise, cilantro can be used fresh or dried and is available year-round.
Now that your cilantro is ready to join your dish, you start to wonder how to cut cilantro properly. Since it’s an herb, many people find it confusing and hard to cut. But worry no more; we’re here to help you figure out how to cut it.
But before that, let’s take a quick review of the nature of cilantro.
Before you learn how to cut cilantro, what is this herb, by the way?
Cilantro, also famous as coriander, is an herb with a strong, pungent flavor that some people find unpleasant.
The leaves of the cilantro plant are typically used in cooking, though the stems can also be used.
Cilantro is commonly used in Latin American, Indian, and Asian cuisine. It is often used as a garnish or as an ingredient in salsa, guacamole, and other dips. This herb can also be used in soups, curries, and other dishes.
Cilantro is a great option if you want to add a bit of flavor to your dish. But cilantro isn’t something you can cut any way you want.
Why is it important to cut cilantro the right way?
Cutting cilantro is a big deal for chefs. But if you don’t want to ruin your dishes, you should also know what to choose and how to cut cilantro properly!
Yes, if you chose the wrong cilantro, your dish could have a bitter taste. And nobody wants that!
Here are the two most important things about cilantro.
- When cutting cilantro, it is important to remove any brown or yellow leaves, as these can make the dish taste bitter.
- Cilantro should be cut just before it is needed, as it will quickly lose its flavor when exposed to air.
How to choose cilantro before cutting them?
When it comes to cilantro, there are two types of people. Those who love it and those who hate it. If you’re in the latter category, you might be wondering how to choose cilantro that will be less likely to taste like soap.
Here are a few tips.
- Look for bright green leaves and avoid any that are yellowing or wilting.
- Give the bunch a sniff. If it smells fresh, it probably is!
- Avoid any bunches with brown or black spots on the leaves.
- Cilantro is best used fresh, so try to use it within a day or two of buying it. If you need to store it, wrap it loosely in a damp paper towel and place it in the fridge.
- When it comes time to use your cilantro, give it a rinse under cold water. Then, dry it using a paper towel or spin it in a salad spinner.
How to cut cilantro the right way?
If you’re like many people, you probably love the taste of cilantro. But did you know there’s a right and wrong technique to cut this popular herb?
Here’s how to cut cilantro without ruining its taste.
1. Start by washing the cilantro in cool water. This will help to remove dirt or debris present on the leaves.
2. Next, trim off the bottom of the stem using a sharp knife or kitchen shears. You want to ensure that all the leaves are removed from the stem so they can be used later on.
3. Cilantro is a great way to put flavor into your food without using a lot of salt. It can be used in various dishes, including soups, stews, salads, and more.
4. Now that the bottom of the stem is trimmed, you can start chopping the cilantro leaves. Be sure to chop them into small pieces so they can be used in various dishes.
5. Once the leaves are chopped, you can add them to your favorite recipe or enjoy them as a garnish on your food.
How to store cilantro?
Storing cilantro is one of the challenges with this herb. But here are some tips on storing cilantro so it stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible.
- First, make sure you cut the cilantro off at the base of the stem. Where it meets the root. This will help prevent bacteria from growing and prolong the life of your cilantro.
- Next, fill a glass or jar with at least two inches of water and place your cut stems in the water.
- Replace the water every day to keep the cilantro fresh. You can also store cilantro in the fridge in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel. This will help to keep the cilantro from drying out.
- If cilantro starts to wilt, you can revive it by placing it in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes. This will help to refresh the cilantro and make it crisp again.
Things to take note of about cilantro
If you are cutting cilantro for the first time, there are a few things to note.
- First, make sure to wash the cilantro thoroughly before cutting it. Cilantro can be quite sandy and dirty, so it’s important to get all the grit out before chopping it up.
- Second, when cutting cilantro, be sure to use a sharp knife. A dull knife will crush the delicate leaves and stems, making them mushy and difficult to chop evenly.
- Third, don’t cut off too much at once!
- Lastly, and again and again, cilantro can go bad quickly, so it’s best to only cut off as much as you need for the dish you’re making. Once you’ve cut the cilantro, you can store it in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days.
It’s time to cut cilantro and prepare some magnificent dishes out of it!
Cutting cilantro is not a joke. It is a herb you could use to impress your guests or ruin your reputation with them due to its bitter taste. Obviously, when it comes to food, no one wants to be badmouthed just because of some leaves named cilantro.
So to avoid unfortunate situations like that, you can follow the tips mentioned above we discussed, and you’ll surely cut them properly without losing their rich flavor! After learning how to cut cilantro, it’s time to share this information to someone!