Heidi Norton
Coriander, also known as Arabian parsley, is a fragrant plant native to southern Europe and western Asia. Coriander oil, which is commonly used in perfumery, is obtained through the steam distillation of ripe coriander seeds. The resulting fragrance is often described as warm, spicy, and herbaceous, with fresh, green, pungent, and lemony notes. In perfumery, coriander is used to add spicy, herbaceous, and fresh nuances to fragrance compositions, blending well with ingredients like ginger, cardamom, black pepper, bergamot, and lemon. Coriander perfumes are said to be sparklingly green, dry, peppery, and herbal, with subtle aquatic and floral notes. Popular coriander perfumes include Coriander by D.S. & Durga, Coriander Bourbon, and Noir by Night from Atelier Des Ors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coriandrum Sativum |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae family |
| Native Region | Southern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East |
| Cultivation | Cultivated worldwide for its aromatic leaves, seeds, and stems |
| Aroma | Warm, spicy, herbaceous, fresh, lemony, green, pungent, woody, fruity, bitter |
| Uses in Perfumery | Adds spicy, herbaceous, and fresh notes; blends well with ginger, cardamom, black pepper, bergamot, lemon, floral, woody, or amber notes |
| Extraction Process | Steam distillation of ripe seeds, followed by filtering to remove impurities |
| Historical Significance | Found in the tombs of Pharaohs, used in the Middle Ages to ward off demons, and cherished by Charlemagne for its bactericidal properties |
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What You'll Learn
Coriander's complex aroma
Coriander, also known as "Arabian parsley," is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. Native to southern Europe and western Asia, it is now cultivated in many parts of the world for its aromatic leaves, seeds, and stems. Its leaves give off a fresh, lemony fragrance, while the seeds have a slightly sweet and spicy flavour. Coriander is a versatile plant valued for its flavour and its benefits in traditional medicine.
Coriander oil is obtained by steam distillation of ripe seeds of the Coriandrum Sativum plant. The process involves harvesting coriander seeds at maturity, drying them to reduce their water content, and then placing them in a still for steam distillation. The steam, laden with essential oil, is cooled and condensed to obtain coriander essential oil, which is then filtered to remove impurities.
Coriander exudes a distinctive and complex aroma, combining spicy, herbal, fresh, and slightly lemony notes. Its fresh leaves have a green, slightly pungent scent reminiscent of parsley. The main constituent of coriander seeds is linalool, which gives them a warmer, spicier aroma with woody undertones. Coriander's complex aroma allows it to be used in perfumery to bring spicy, herbaceous, and fresh nuances to fragrance compositions.
In perfumery, coriander is used to create spicy, fresh, and invigorating accords. It blends well with ingredients such as ginger, cardamom, black pepper, bergamot, and lemon. Coriander can also be combined with floral, woody, or amber notes to add an exotic and captivating touch to fragrances. Its versatility allows perfumers to create unique and captivating scents that are loved by many.
Coriander has a long history, dating back to ancient times. It has been found in the tombs of Pharaohs and was used in the Middle Ages to ward off demons. Charlemagne cherished it for its bactericidal properties, and it was even considered an aphrodisiac plant. Today, coriander continues to be valued for its aroma and is used in perfumes such as Coriander by D.S. & Durga, Coriander Bourbon, and Noir by Night from Atelier Des Ors.
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Historical uses of coriander
Coriander, also known as "Arabian parsley," is a herbaceous plant native to southern Europe and western Asia. All parts of the plant are edible, but it is primarily cultivated for its leaves, seeds, and aromatic stems. The use of coriander as a key ingredient in perfumes has a long and fascinating history.
Coriander was found in the tomb of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamen, indicating that it was cultivated and valued by the ancient Egyptians. In fact, an Egyptian text dated to around 1550 BCE, the Ebers Papyrus, mentions the use of coriander. There is also evidence to suggest that coriander was cultivated in ancient Greece, with Linear B tablets recovered from Pylos referring to the species being used in the manufacture of perfumes.
In ancient times, coriander was used for more than just its fragrance. Ancient Mediterranean civilizations utilized coriander for a variety of medicinal and culinary purposes. For example, the Romans employed a mixture of vinegar and crushed coriander seeds to preserve meat. Coriander was also mentioned in the Old Testament under the pseudonym "gad."
During the Middle Ages, coriander took on a different role, being used to ward off demons. Charlemagne, a medieval ruler, also valued coriander for its bactericidal functions, and it was even considered an aphrodisiac during this time period.
The distinctive aroma of coriander combines spicy, herbal, fresh, and slightly lemony notes. Coriander essential oil is obtained through the steam distillation of ripe seeds, and it is this oil that is used in perfumery to add warm, spicy, and herbaceous notes to fragrance compositions. Coriander blends well with a variety of ingredients, making it a versatile component in the creation of exotic and captivating fragrances.
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Coriander cultivation
Coriander, or Cilantro, is a herb that is easy to grow from seed. It is a cool-season crop that grows best in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. It is a thermophilic plant, which means it is sensitive to heavy frosts and prefers temperatures between 12 and 22 °C (53.6 and 71.6 °F) to germinate.
Coriander seeds are widely available from garden centres and online retailers, and can be sown directly into the ground or in containers outdoors from spring onwards. It is best to sow them about 1 to 2 cm deep in the soil, as coriander is a dark germinator. Coriander seeds should be spaced 8-10 inches apart, while cilantro seeds should be spaced 2 inches apart. Rows should be at least 15 inches apart. Coriander can also be started indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting, but it is important to minimise root disturbance when moving seedlings outdoors.
Coriander plants are compact and can be grown in pots on a balcony or as gap-fillers in a vegetable plot or border. If growing for leaves, consider coriander as a short-term crop and sow small batches every month or so, providing continual harvests from mid-summer to early autumn. Each sowing should give you several harvests before the plant starts to flower and set seed. In hot, dry weather, plants will flower more quickly and stop producing leaves. However, this can be avoided by regularly sowing new batches.
Coriander is ready to harvest in about ten weeks. The leaves can be harvested multiple times before the plant flowers, and the seeds can be harvested once the plant has turned brown and started to dry out. The seeds can be used fresh or dried and stored in sealed containers. The leaves can be frozen or dried and stored in resealable bags or containers.
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Coriander essential oil
In addition to its aromatic uses, coriander essential oil has a variety of therapeutic benefits. It is often used in massage blends to alleviate muscle aches and pains related to rheumatism, arthritis, and muscle spasms. When applied topically, coriander oil can help maintain a clear complexion and balance oily skin. It is also used in Ayurvedic healing, holistic practices, emotional health, skincare, and personal care.
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Coriander perfume options
Coriander is a spice with a fresh, green, pungent scent reminiscent of parsley. Coriander oil, which is used in perfumery, is obtained through the steam distillation of ripe seeds of the Coriandrum Sativum plant. The oil adds warm, spicy, and herbaceous notes to fragrances and is known for its distinctive and complex aroma, blending well with other ingredients such as ginger, cardamom, black pepper, bergamot, and lemon.
D.S. & Durga Coriander
D.S. & Durga, a perfumer-owned house based in Brooklyn, NY, offers immersive fragrances called Coriander. Their coriander scent is described as fresh, pungent, and evocative of the grass and the sea. It is heightened by lime peels and Moroccan rosemary, with notes of cubeb seeds and clary sage.
Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant
This perfume features a coriander note, but it is described as a "big perfume," so use with caution if you prefer a more subtle scent.
Aesop
Aesop offers products made with coriander, although these may lean more towards the scent of coriander seeds rather than the herb itself.
Noir by Night from Atelier Des Ors
This coriander perfume is described as pricey, but it could be an option if budget is not a concern.
Coriander Bourbon
A coriander scent described as classy and sophisticated without being too loud.
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Frequently asked questions
Coriander perfume is a fragrance that features coriander as one of its main notes. Coriander, also known as "Arabian parsley", is a herbaceous plant native to southern Europe and western Asia. The plant's leaves, seeds and stems are used to create a distinctive and complex aroma, combining spicy, herbal, fresh and slightly lemony notes.
Coriander oil is obtained through a steam distillation process. Ripe seeds of the coriander plant are placed in a still and undergo steam distillation, which extracts the aromatic compounds. The steam, now rich in essential oil, is then cooled and condensed to obtain coriander essential oil.
Coriander perfumes are described as sparklingly green, with a dry, peppery, herbal scent. They often feature a delicate aquatic floral musk, with a subtle salinity that adds to the enigma of the fragrance. Coriander perfumes are light, crisp and refreshing, making them suitable for daily wear.
