Cilantro Delivery or Pickup

The coriander plant (Coriandrum Sativum) leaves are where we get cilantro, which is very versatile and offers a distinct flavor. Cilantro infuses many Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mexican recipes, including salsa and  Chermoula. The coriander plant belongs to the parsley family, and cilantro is also known as Mexican parsley and Chinese parsley. The leaves resemble a parsley leaf but are flatter and grow on long, thin stems. Cilantro is best when it's fresh.

Cilantro adds a slightly peppery, bright, lemony, spicy flavor to recipes. It's one spice that people seem to either love or hate, and not much in between. Some people detect a soap-like taste in cilantro. A natural aldehyde chemical found in the leaves causes this taste. Some insects, including bedbugs, also produce this chemical. Aldehyde also results from the soap-making process, making cilantro taste soapy to those who can pick up on the subtlety.

When shopping for cilantro, be sure to avoid any wilted leaves and instead look for bright green leaves. You should be able to smell the unique lemony, almost soapy smell that indicates that the cilantro is fresh. 

Cilantro tastes best when it's fresh, and you can follow a few tricks to keep it as fresh as possible once you bring it home to extend its shelf life. First, if your cilantro arrived with your Instacart order with a rubber band around it, remove the rubber band immediately. You'll also want to take it out of its plastic bag. Both the rubber band and bag will cause cilantro to wilt or decay quickly. Once your cilantro is free from the rubber band or plastic bag, snip the bottoms of the stems approximately 2 inches from the base and rinse it.

After you've cut the cilantro, place it in a jar or other container filled with water, leaving the leaves dry, and then transfer the jar to the refrigerator. You can cover your cilantro lightly with a plastic bag set over the top of the leaves, but don't suffocate the plant. You'll want to keep the water in the cilantro container fresh. It's best to change the water every two days or anytime it turns brown. You can keep your cilantro fresh in the refrigerator this way for up to a week.

Another option is to store your cilantro in an airtight container in the refrigerator. First, line the container with either a paper bag or paper towels. You can also freeze fresh cilantro to use later. If you want to freeze fresh cilantro, start by washing it. Chop up the cilantro and place it in an ice cube tray, approximately 1 tablespoon in each slot, then top with water and freeze. Once frozen, you can store the cilantro cubes in a plastic bag. The cubes provide a quick way to add cilantro to a sauce or soup.