If You Hate Cilantro, You’ll Really Hate Culantro

Published on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, by Sarah Perry / Edit Post

Culantro is not a misspelling of cilantro. The two herbs are similar in aroma, but different in appearance. In flavor and aroma, culantro is like cilantro, only more so, says Das Ubergeek. He adds that it is stronger and soapier, in the same way galangal compares to ginger. “If you have people who hate cilantro, they’re really going to loathe culantro,” says Das Ubergeek.

Culantro is used throughout the Spanish diaspora in Mexico and Puerto Rico. “Culantro is used in almost everything here in Puerto Rico,” says Echotraveler, especially soffritto. It even shows up in Vietnamese cuisine, often on herb plates, to be torn up in pho or used for wrapping bites of food. Its Vietnamese name is ngo gai, and it’s sometimes known as sawtooth herb. In Mexico, it’s called cilantro extranjero, says kare_raisu.

Board Link: Culantro - assistance

ALLGeneral Topics Digest
POST A COMMENT |5 Comments

COMMENT

  • My hatred of cilantro is so intense that I resolutely refuse to frequent any type of restaurant that might even remotely think of serving dishes containing it. Food items such as salsa and guacamole should come with large-lettered WARNING signs if they contain this most intensely disgusting herb. Alas, those who enjoy the putrid smell and taste simply refuse to acknowledge that there is a growing...+READ

    My hatred of cilantro is so intense that I resolutely refuse to frequent any type of restaurant that might even remotely think of serving dishes containing it. Food items such as salsa and guacamole should come with large-lettered WARNING signs if they contain this most intensely disgusting herb. Alas, those who enjoy the putrid smell and taste simply refuse to acknowledge that there is a growing militant movement out there of those like me who HATE CILANTRO!-COLLAPSE

  • That's okay, Hapa Dude, I'll eat your share too!

    And seriously- thanks for the clarification- I'd wondered about this for years. The comparison to galalngal-ginger was pure genius- it makes perfect sense now.

  • Good to know! I will steer clear of culantro since I hate cilantro (I call it the devilweed). Cilantro is way overused IMO.

  • I have heard that the primary difference is in it's use.

    Cilantro, the one that looks like parsley is tender, and used raw. When cooked, it looses flavor

    Culantro, which looks more like a dandelion leaf, is tougher, and used cooked, since it doesn't loose it's flavor. At least thats what my Puerto Rican sister-in-law told me.

  • O love cilantro but this cracks me up: http://ihatecilantro.com/