Quick summary
Cilantro , a versatile and aromatic herb , is a staple in many cuisines around the reality . Its impudent , citrusy flavor addsavibrant touchto dishes ranging from salsas and salads to curries and stir - fry . If you ’re grow your own cilantro plants , knowing how to harvest them correctly is substantive to ensure their seniority and optimal spirit . Here ’s a comprehensive guide to help you get the most out of your cilantro harvest home :
When to Harvest Cilantro
Cilantro is a nerveless - season herb that thrives in temperatures between 50 - 70 ° F ( 10 - 21 ° C ) . The best time toharvest cilantrois when the plants are untested and tender , typically 3 - 4 hebdomad after planting . Harvesting at this stage will yield the most flavourful and redolent leaves .
How to Harvest Cilantro
1 . Identify the Right Leaves : take folio that arevibrant greenand have not yetdeveloped flowers . Flowering indicates that the plant is going to sow , which can make the leafage bitter.2 . Cut or Snip : Use clean , sharp scissorsor a tongue to shorten or snip thecilantro leavesnear the base of the plant . Avoid pull the leave-taking , as this can damage the plant.3 . Harvest Regularly : veritable harvest encourage new growth and prevents the industrial plant from going to sow . Harvest little amounts of cilantro as needed , about 1/3 of the plant at a meter .
Methods of Harvesting Cilantro
1 . Full works harvesting : If you need alarge amountof cilantro , you could glean theentire plantby cutting it off at the base . This method will yield the most cilantro but will also remove the flora from your garden.2 . cold shoulder - and - come up - Again harvest time : This method acting involve harvest only theouter leavesof thecilantro plant , leaving the inside leaves tocontinue maturate . Cut the leaves near the base and let the plant to regenerate .
Storage of Cilantro
Fresh cilantro can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week . Wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and localise them in asealed plastic bag . or else , you canfreeze cilantroby chopping it and freezing it inairtight containersfor up to 6 months .
Drying Cilantro
Drying cilantro is a great room to carry on its flavor and extend itsshelf life . Spread the leave on a baking sheet and localize them in a warm , dry place withgood aura circulation . sour the parting occasionally to control even drying . Once the leaf are crispy , stash away them in an airtight container in a nerveless , disconsolate station .
Cilantro in the Kitchen
Cilantro is aversatile herbthat can be used in a variety of knockout . Here are somepopular culinaryuses :
Harvesting Cilantro Flowers
Althoughcilantro leavesare the most normally used part of the plant life , the flowers are also edible . Cilantro bloom have a ticklish , slightly sweet flavorand can be used as a garnish or add together to salads .
Harvesting Cilantro Seeds
If you require to economize cilantro seed forfuture planting , tolerate the plant to go to seed . Once the seeds have turned brown , cut off theseed headsand place them in apaper bag . stack away the seed in a nerveless , dry home until you ’re ready to plant them .
What You Need to Know
Q : How often should I reap cilantro?A : Harvest cilantro regularly , about every 1 - 2 weeks , to encourage new growth and forestall the plant from going to seed . Q : Can Iharvest cilantrofrom the same plant life multiple times?A : Yes , you canharvest cilantrofrom the sameplant multiple timesby using the rationalize - and - come - again method . Only harvest about 1/3 of the plant at a clock time to leave it to renew . Q : How do I know when cilantro is ready to harvest?A : Cilantro is ready to harvest when the leaves arevibrant greenand have not yet developed flowers .
