A vital coriander plant provides both spicy leaves and spicy grains for the kitchen. Since the taste of both components differs significantly, the correct harvest requires a little care and planning. This is how it works.
When and how should you harvest coriander?
Coriander leaves should be harvested before flowering to preserve the finest flavor. Cut shoots close to the ground or pick individual leaves from top to bottom. Coriander seeds can be harvested from the end of August as soon as they are light brown. Leave them to ripen in a dry, sunny place until they are almost black.
Harvest coriander leaves in time before flowering
If you have the delicate leaves in your sights when sowing coriander, the harvest will begin in June under normal summer conditions. The younger the foliage, the finer the taste. Either cut off entire shoots close to the ground or pick off individual leaves. In this case, work from top to bottom.
The goal is to delay flowering for as long as possible. Once the buds have opened, the coriander plant invests all its energy in growing the seeds. This process takes place at the expense of the taste in the green parts of the plant. However, if flowering is permanently prevented, the delicate seeds will inevitably fail to appear. In this regard, a little tact is required.
Store coriander leaves cleverly
Sooner or later the harvest of leaves and shoots will stop to allow flowering. So that you can use these parts of the coriander plant as a seasoning for a long time, they can be easily frozen or dried.
How to harvest coriander seeds at the right time
Following the white coriander blossom, the desired seed heads develop. By the end of August these will be ripe so that the harvest can begin. Do not wait until the fruit turns dark. Otherwise they will burst open and spread the seeds throughout the garden. How to proceed:
- Completely cut off seeds with a light brown color
- let the umbels ripen in a sunny, dry place
- if the grains take on an almost black color, they are ripe
Coriander seeds are preferably stored in an airtight container. Grind the grains just before use to enjoy the full flavor.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to get both a rich harvest of leaves and a generous yield of coriander seeds, use the following trick. Plant coriander in two different locations in the bed. While one group is allowed to bloom as much as it can, the second group continually supplies the aromatic leaves.
