What is Cilantro Called in the UK: Understanding the Terminology

Cilantro in the UK is commonly referred to as coriander. The language used in the United Kingdom often carries its own unique terms for various ingredients, spices, and food items. This is particularly relevant when discussing items like cilantro, which is also known as coriander. Let's delve into the details and clarify the terminology used in the UK.

The Key Terms: Cilantro vs. Coriander

The term cilantro is of Spanish origin and is more commonly used in the United States and other Spanish-speaking countries. In these regions, cilantro specifically refers to the leaves of the coriander plant, which have a distinctive fresh, citrusy flavor. However, in the UK, the term coriander encompasses both the leaves and the seeds of the same plant.

Coriander: A Universal Term in the UK

Coriander is the term used in the UK to describe both the leaves and the seeds of the Coriandrum sativum plant. Unlike in the US where a distinction is made between the term cilantro for the leaves and coriander for the seeds, the UK does not make this distinction. This suggests that in informal use, people in the UK may refer to the leaves as 'coriander leaves' to clarify the component they are talking about.

Understanding the Context

There are no specific differences in the application of the term coriander in the UK compared to other regions. The term is universally understood to refer to both the leaves and seeds. This is consistent across the language and culinary use in the UK, where the primary focus is on the flavor and use of the spice rather than the botanical distinction.

The term coriander is used officially and in everyday discourse, as evidenced by the following examples:

Example 1: Coriander is called Coriander in the UK. This statement reflects the straight-forward usage of the term.

Example 2: Coriander is called Coriander in the UK. Both the leaf and the seed. This clarifies the dual usage of the term for the entire plant.

While the term coriander is widely recognized and used in the UK, there can be some personal preferences and variations in how the term is used. For example:

Example 3: I call it coriander my daughter calls it 'yeuk' This shows personal preferences and potential dislikes within families.

Conclusion

In summary, when it comes to talking about the plant known as cilantro in the UK, the term coriander is the one used. This term encompasses both the leaves and the seeds of the plant. It is a straightforward and universally understood term in the UK, making it easy to communicate about this common spice. Whether you are discussing the fresh green leaves or the dried round seeds, coriander is the correct term to use in the UK.