Asha: Anyone familiar with a plant known as Mexican coriander? Or Culantro?

Archana: What do you want to know about it?

Asha: I am looking for some seeds or a small sapling.

Archana: I don’t grow it here, but have seen many plant nurseries like GKVK, Biocenter (near Meenakshi Mall) sell it.

Siddhi: I had gotten some from Kerala from my mother-in-law’s garden, but it didn’t survive. From then on, I take the leaves whenever I go! I absolutely love it! My mother-in-law calls it “African malli.” 

Archana: Same. It didn’t survive for me either. I got it from Kerala.

Asha: Oh. I was trying to grow it instead of coriander, which was a total fail for me. I thought this would be easy!

Damini: What is it used for? Do you use it as a garnish?

Siddhi: I make chutney mostly. Or put in dal. 

Asha: I think you can use it in any dish instead of coriander leaves.

Siddhi: My partner uses its chutney for marinades. 

Damini: Oh, nice! I need to try it.

Siddhi: I love coriander in any form, but some people find culantro to be slightly sharper in taste as a garnish.

Anitha: I get it from here to make Meghalaya-inspired dishes. I tried to grow it in Bangalore but failed. Guess it needs wet weather.