Coriander Root: The Part Thai Cooks Prize

Coriander (Root & Leaf) — ผักชี (phak-chi) — Coriandrum sativum.

Thai cooks prize coriander's underground taproot. You eat the root. In mice, coriander reduced lead deposition. It's rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Moo Sarong flavors savory pork meatballs with coriander root, wraps them in noodles, and deep-fries them until crisp, served with sweet chili sauce. Khanom Pang Na Moo is a classic Thai pork toast seasoned with fresh coriander root paste and served with cucumber relish. Above the root, you use the cilantro leaves as a notable source of vitamin K, and the dried seeds whole as a warm spice. In Thai cooking, the deep taproot is the part that anchors curry bases. To grow that fat taproot, sow the seeds where they'll stay, since coriander has a deep root and dislikes being moved. Eat it with a little fat or oil, which helps your body turn its beta-carotene into vitamin A.

Moo Sarong — หมูสารอง (moo-sa-rong)
Kanom Pang Na Moo — ขนมปังหน้าหมู (ka-nom-pang-na-moo)

Food and nutrients

Rich in: vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C

Research context

Coriander reduced lead build-up in animal studies — J. Ethnopharmacology, 2001 (animal study)

Sources

Source: Aga M et al. (2001). Preventive effect of Coriandrum sativum on lead deposition in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. PMID 11535365

Narration transcript

Opening

In Thailand the part cooks reach for is the pale taproot underground — dug up and pounded into the base of a curry paste, while the leaves you know go on top as a fresh garnish. Coriander — ผักชี, pak-chee. That deep root anchors the paste, and the dried seeds become a warm baking spice.

Moo Sarong (Noodle-Wrapped Pork Dumplings) (หมูสารอง)

Moo sarong are savory pork meatballs flavored with coriander root, wrapped in noodles, and deep-fried until crisp, served with sweet chili sauce.

Kanom Pang Na Moo (Thai Pork Toast) (ขนมปังหน้าหมู)

Kanom pang na moo is a classic Thai appetizer, a savory pork toast seasoned with fresh coriander root paste, served with cucumber relish.

Nutrition summary

Those feathery cilantro leaves are a standout source of vitamin K, backed by good levels of vitamin A and vitamin C.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting and helps maintain healthy bones, working alongside calcium in your body.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A contributes to normal vision and helps maintain healthy skin and surface tissues.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is used to build collagen and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.

Closing

Coriander is a gentle herb, though people allergic to celery, carrot, or fennel can react to it too — they're all cousins in the same family. To grow that fat taproot, sow the seeds where they'll stay: coriander has a deep root and hates being moved. Follow Longevity Biome, and LIKE this video for regular updates.

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