The cilantro microgreens are a must for any kitchen! It’s a herb from the fresh leaves of the coriander plant, and as microgreens, these slow-growing leaves are offering an intensely sweet aroma!
What are Cilantro Microgreens?
Cilantro is also known as Coriander or Chinese Parsley and belongs to the same family as carrots, celery, and parsley.
As microgreens, the Cilantro grows slowly, but the results are rewarding. You will harvest deep green leaves that have a sweet but yet sharp taste. You can eat both the leaves and the stems of the microgreens.
| Growing period | 12-15+ days |
| Flavor | Sharp, sweet and distinctive |
| Growing difficulty | Medium |
| Buy seeds | Cilantro seeds from True Leaf Market Cilantro seeds from Amazon |
Description
Cilantro is one of the more common herbs to use in different cuisines and is known as the first spices to be used by mankind. It has a history as far back as 5000 BC, and today it is an ingredient used all over the world. You find it in Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Caribbean, North African, Mediterranean, and other European cuisines.
General Nutrition & Benefits
Cilantro microgreens are filled with goodness for your health. As a herb, it has been used not only to eat but also medicinally since ancient times.
It contains vitamins A, C, K, as well as folate, potassium, and manganese.
RELATED: The Most Nutritious Microgreens to Grow and Eat
How to Grow Cilantro Microgreens
Cilantro microgreens grow best in soil or coconut coir, and they take longer to grow than most other types. During germination, they will thrive better in cooler temperatures (around 70F).
| Growing timeline (estimated) | |
|---|---|
| Presoak | *Yes (4-8 hours) |
| Preferred medium | Soil/Coconut coir |
| Avg. seed weight (10/20 tray) | 10 grams |
| Germination period (blackout) | Day 1-6 |
| Growth time (sunlight) | Day 7-11 |
| Harvest | Day 12-15+ |
The Coriander microgreen seed can benefit from being split to allow for faster and more consistent germination as well as increases the number of sprouts. You can buy seeds that are pre-split, or you can do it yourself.
See this video for a tip on how to split your cilantro seeds.
If you are using the split seeds, you don’t need to pre-soak but if you are using the full ones, you can soak them for 4-8 hours before planting. This is because they are covered in a thick outer hull. Pre-soaking them will support the germination process.
To plant these microgreens, sprinkle the seeds on a bed of soil or coconut coir and cover them with another thin layer of the medium. Try to make it as flat as possible by pressing it gently as it will give an even growth. When you sprinkle the seeds, avoid clumps as that can make your microgreens go bad and suffer from mold and wilting.
RELATED: Why Microgreens Mold and How to Prevent It
RELATED: Reasons Your Microgreens Are Wilting
Once you have prepared your tray with the seeds, give them a good mist to make all the medium wet, but try not to oversoak. Place your tray in a dark environment or cover it with another tray on top and leave it to germinate for around six days. During the blackout period, you can water twice a day.
Germination of Cilantro can be inconsistent, and you will find that while some seeds germinate within a week, some may take longer.
Once your seeds have sprouted and you can see yellow leaves, bring them out in the light. Place your tray under a grow light or put them where they can reach indirect sunlight. The cilantro needs around 12-15 hours of light, and 9-12 hours of “sleep”.
During the growth time, they need water twice a day. Continue to mist to keep the medium and roots wet, or use the method to water from the bottom tray.
When you can see that your microgreens have developed their first true leaves you can consider them ready for harvest. The cilantro takes a long time to grow, and you can prepare yourself that it will take up 12-15+ days before you can cut them. You can harvest sooner, but you may not be able to enjoy the sight and taste of the true leaves. You can also have them growing longer to get some more of the leaves developed.
Culinary Guiding
Cilantro is the king of herbs! You can use it with so many different dishes. Mixing it with lime is a great combination! Add it to your curry, soup, or use in your Mexican dishes. Serving your microgreens with your taco will make wonders. You can even put some of the leaves in your cocktail!
Here are some tasty ways to use cilantro in your cooking:
- Sprinkle over your Mexican dishes
- Mix with lime and make a great seasoning
- Add chopped cilantro together with some butter and lemon zest and mix in with rice or couscous
- Spice up salads, or pasta or add to a good soup
Find some more inspiration and recipes on how to use cilantro in your next meal.
