You both adore it, otherwise you hate it. With regards to cilantro, I add it to something and all the pieces; it’s uncommon when this scrumptious herb isn’t part of my meal prep. So was I open to rising a spread in my herb backyard that I had by no means tried earlier than? Hell, yeah! Don’t thoughts if I do.
Vietnamese Coriander
Native to Southeast Asia, Vietnamese coriander is a semi-aquatic plant that likes tropical or sub-tropical climates the place it’s heat and damp.
Nonetheless, it performs effectively in my North American, summertime local weather. It helps that it’s been so humid; what began as a small cluster has rapidly become a shrub on the base of my tomatoes.
Its lengthy stems develop upright and produce blade-like leaves. Whereas a lot of them are inexperienced in shade, some even have maroon markings on the base.
Vietnamese coriander seems to be completely different from cilantro.
Taste And Vitamin
Also called Rau Ram, Vietnamese coriander is analogous in style to recent cilantro, solely there are some severe hints of citrus and spice in it. It’s daring, so incorporate it into meals which have stronger flavors.
I admit there’s considerably of a soapy odor and style to it, nevertheless it’s nonetheless scrumptious. For extra on why so many people like or hate the style of cleaning soap, learn this.
I’ve added it to salads for some additional kick, nevertheless it’s additionally nice in stir-fries, curries, do-it-yourself spring rolls, soups, and extra.
Add it to soups, salads, spring rolls, rooster, or fish.
In accordance with Speciality Produce, Vietnamese coriander is very tasty when paired with tomato, coconut, ginger, chili peppers, yogurt, rooster, duck, and whitefish. It additionally has some medicinal values; a pure anti-inflammatory, Rau Ram may also help deal with indigestion and tummy aches.
How It Grows
This herb likes heat climate and doesn’t carry out effectively as a cool-season crop. Plant it in an space that will get full solar to half shade, and provides it loads of water.
Vietnamese coriander can develop as much as 24 inches excessive and 12 inches extensive, so give it some area too. It grows rapidly; not like different herbs like basil or common cilantro, you’ll solely want considered one of these within the backyard for a gentle provide in your meals.
Don’t have a backyard? Rau Ram additionally does very effectively in containers. In case you do have it planted outside, reserve it from the primary frost by digging it up and putting it in a pot in a sunny, heat spot in the home to take pleasure in all winter
I’ve by no means been capable of finding Rau Ram in my Canadian supermarkets, however now have it rising in abundance within the backyard. You’ve bought to like that.
Catherine Sherriffs
Catherine is a Canadian award-winning journalist who labored as a reporter and information anchor in Montreal’s radio and tv scene for 10 years. A graduate of Concordia College, she left the hustle and bustle of the enterprise after beginning a household. Now, she’s the editor and a author for Backyard Tradition Journal whereas additionally having fun with being a mother to her two younger youngsters. Her pursuits embody nice meals, gardening, health, animals, and something outside.
