
How does cilantro differ from Parsley?
parsley—what's the difference?
- Parsley has a milder flavor, while cilantro is bolder. Between the two, parsley is the tamer of the herbs. ...
- Some people also get a soapy taste from cilantro. It comes down to more than just a bolder taste, though. ...
- They're used in different kinds of recipes. ...
- Both are great for heart and bone health, and can help control blood sugar. ...
Does cilantro and parsley smell different?
Parsley has a fresh, mild herbal scent, while cilantro has a much stronger, spicy, citrusy aroma. Some people describe the smell and taste of fresh cilantro leaves as soap-like.
Can you use Italian parsley instead of cilantro?
The best substitutes for cilantro are Thai basil, Italian parsley, mint, papalo, rau rum, curry powder, cumin, dill, caraway, garam masala and oregano. What can you use instead of cilantro? Substitutes for Cilantro. Thai Basil. If you are looking for a suitable substitute for cilantro, then basil is one of the many choices that we offer. Italian parsley.
Is cilantro and parsley interchangeable?
Cilantro has a very characteristic taste that adds personality to certain dishes. Parsley, on the other hand, can sometimes go unnoticed since its taste is not as distinctive. Thus, it may be fine to use parsley instead of cilantro but not the other way round.

Is cilantro Italian parsley?
Cilantro. These two herbs look very similar and are easily confused with each other. They are both flat-leafed and dark green, but Italian parsley has darker, shinier leaves compared to cilantro (also known as coriander). The fragrance and flavor are where these fresh herbs differ greatly.
What's the difference in parsley and cilantro?
Cilantro has a bright, citrusy taste which can taste soapy to some people, whereas parsley has a slightly grassy, peppery taste. Cilantro works really well in Indian and Mexican cuisine, whereas parsley is widely used in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and European Cuisine.
Is cilantro coriander or parsley?
Taken from the Coriandrum sativum plant—or coriander plant—cilantro is also known as coriander, Chinese parsley, and Mexican parsley. The word “cilantro” comes from the Spanish word coriander.
Which is healthier parsley or cilantro?
Nutrition Information Fresh cilantro is also very rich in Vitamin A and potassium but it is higher than parsley in calcium and dietary fiber. It is also moderately rich in Vitamin C and folate (folic acid).
Is cilantro dried parsley?
Some people refer to cilantro as Chinese parsley; however, cilantro and parsley are two different green herbs.
What's another name for parsley?
What is another word for parsley?curly-leaf parsleycurly parsleyflat-leaf parsleyflat parsleyItalian parsleygarnish
Can cilantro replace parsley?
Cilantro, celery leaves, and carrot greens are excellent replacements for parsley as a garnish. Meanwhile, chervil and chives — either fresh or dried — are the most ideal parsley substitutes for culinary purposes.
Why is cilantro called Chinese parsley?
The green leaves of the coriander plant, which resemble a parsley-like green. With a sharp distinctive flavor that is very popular for Mexican and Asian food dishes, Chinese Parsley is the same as Cilantro, however due to its popularity in China it was given the name of Chinese parsley.
What does cilantro turn into?
Cilantro is like the Energizer Bunny of herbs. Just when you think it's done supplying you with tons and tons of tastiness from it's leaves and stems, it turns it's attention to producing hoards of seeds and giving you lots and lots of coriander. Yep, it's 2 spices in 1 ...
Is cilantro an anti-inflammatory?
Cilantro, as an anti-inflammatory agent, has been observed in the production of the Sri Lankan Maharasnadhi Quather (MRQ). MRQ contains cilantro seed as its primary component and is reported to boast anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in human and animal research.
Is cilantro good for liver?
Cilantro is also very valuable for extracting heavy metals and other toxins from other body systems and organs, particularly the liver. In fact, it's an amazing liver detoxifier in its own right.
Is parsley an anti-inflammatory?
Parsley has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties due to its antioxidants, including flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C. Additionally, parsley may help keep your kidneys healthy by reducing high blood pressure, a major risk factor for kidney disease.
Do parsley and cilantro taste the same?
Parsley and cilantro both add flavor and color to recipes, but they're not interchangeable. Parsley has a mild, bright flavor that's very versatile, while cilantro has a much stronger, citrusy flavor.
Do cilantro and parsley taste good together?
Or, if you're making a recipe that calls for any combination of herbs (there are many recipes that do, especially salads), parsley and cilantro are an excellent combination (along with basil and mint).
What do you use parsley for in cooking?
Like other herbs, parsley can be pureed into sauces and pestos and dips as well. Parsley is often added into dishes like pastas, sauces, salads, meat dishes, and vegetables. Parsley is frequently sprinkled on the top of finishes dishes for an extra punch of fresh herby flavor as well as appearance.
How do you tell the difference between cilantro and Italian parsley?
Compared to parsley, cilantro leaves tend to be more delicate looking. The serrations on cilantro leaves are rounded and lacy looking, whereas parsley usually has pointy serrations. Parsley is typically a slightly darker green.
The Details: Plant Type and Origin
Both cilantro and parsley are part of the Apiaceae family, which also includes celery and carrots. While they hail from the same taxonomic group, they each have a slightly different origin and place in human history.
Nutritional Profile and Health Benefits
Despite a shared taxonomy and physical appearance, there are actually a number of nutritional differences between cilantro and parsley. Though, both pack an extraordinary amount of antioxidants and health-affirming nutrients and it’d be hard to say which is healthier.
Culinary Uses
While it isn’t impossible to use cilantro in place of parsley in some recipes (and vice versa), the fact is, these two similar herbs have very different tastes. In fact, there are some people who absolutely detest the taste of cilantro but love parsley.
How to Properly Store Parsley and Cilantro
Regardless of whether you find cilantro soapy or satisfying, it is important to know how to properly store fresh herbs if you want to use them in your cooking more often.
Parsley
Parsley or garden parsley is known formally as Petroselinum crispum and is native to the central and eastern Mediterranean region.
Cilantro
Cilantro is also known as coriander, which is the name that is used in countries such as the UK, and it is also sometimes known as Chinese Parsley - another reason why it's easy to confuse these two herbs!
Appearance
Parsley is characterized by its thicker, curlier leaves which are small and pointed. However, this is curly leaf parsley, and it differs from the flat-leaved variety, which looks very similar to cilantro due to its flat leaves.
Flavor
This is the easiest way to tell these two herbs apart, as their tastes are quite distinctive even though they are often used to garnish similar dishes.
Uses
Curly Parsley is popular as a garnish as it has a distinctive, ruffled texture and appearance, whereas flat-leaved parsley is stronger and is used for specific recipes.
Cilantro also offers an abundance of different health benefits
It has analgesic, antiseptic properties, and can be used as a natural stimulant and digestive aid.
Differences between parsley and cilantro
Appearance - parsley has thicker, curlier leaves, while cilantro is flatter. However, flat-leaved parsley looks very similar to cilantro
Why are they confused for each other?
Even though parsley and cilantro look close to identical, they aren’t.
The difference between parsley and cilantro
Aside from the difference in appearance, the scent and taste of the two herbs are what sets them apart. Parsley’s mild fragrance is more herbal and fresh, whereas cilantro’s smell is a strong citrus. Italian parsley is a common ingredient in pizza and pasta sauce with a flavor that lends itself to enhancing and building upon other ingredients.
Can you substitute one for the other?
Even though they come from the same family and have a similar appearance, you don’t usually want to substitute cilantro for parsley. Imagine making a pasta sauce: The recipe calls for parsley, which has a mild herbal taste, but you throw in some cilantro instead.
What Are The Differences Between Parsley Vs Cilantro?
Although they both belong to the Apiaceae herb family, parsley vs cilantro are actually different types of plants. Therefore, the two herbs have their own distinct characteristics.
Parsley Vs. Cilantro – Appearance
Parsley and cilantro are relatives to each other. The two are both fragrant herbs with vibrant green leaves growing from their long, slim stems.
Parsley Vs.Cilantro – Smells And Tastes
The answer is yes. If you can’t tell those two apart just by looking, why not try to smell or taste them? Both of them are aromatic herbs, and each has its own unique scents and flavors.
Parsley And Cilantro In The Cooking World
Although both herbs are garnishes, you can definitely differentiate parsley from cilantro by their tastes. Thanks to that distinction in tastes, parsley and cilantro can be added to very different types of food.
Health Benefits Of Parsley And Cilantro
Parsley and cilantro are both known for keeping your diet healthy. They also play a role in traditional medicine. But in which ways do they improve your health?
How To Store Parsley And Cilantro
Parsley and cilantro are pretty soft in texture. Therefore, knowing the proper ways to store parsley as well as how to keep cilantro fresh will keep you from tossing away these weak-looking herbs. Don’t think simply throwing them in the fridge will do the trick.
FAQs
I hope you have gained enough information to distinguish the two herbs after reading my post. There are, however, other matters related to parsley and cilantro. Let’s see if these questions and answers are helpful to you.
What is Parsley?
The scientific name for parsley is Petroselinum crispum. It’s a biennial herb and a member of the Apiaceae family. The herb is native to the Mediterranean.
What Is Parsley Used For?
Parsley may have originated in the Mediterranean, but now it’s popular all over the world. It’s best known as a garnish, but it’s also loved for its fresh light flavor.
Types of Parsley
There are four types of parsley. Each one has its own benefits and uses.
Cooking With Parsley
Curly leaf and flat-leaf parsley are used in cooking. Its mild flavor and ability to enhance other flavors make it ideal for cooking.
Health Benefits of Parsley
Parsley has a surprising amount of health benefits. It is known as one of the most powerful disease-fighting plants.
What is Cilantro?
Cilantro is also a member of the Apiaceae family, which accounts for some similarities between the plants. It is generally used fresh. When it is cooked, it loses much of its flavor.
Cooking With Cilantro
You’ll want to remove the cilantro leaves to use cilantro in your cooking. If you are making pesto, you can grind the stems and leaves.
What Is Parsley?
Parsley, or garden parsley, is a species of flowering plant that belongs in the Apiaceae family. It is typically found in the central and Eastern Mediterranean region but has also been found in other parts of Europe.
What Is Cilantro
Cilantro (coriander in the UK) is another herb in the Apiaceae family. All parts of the cilantro plant can be eaten but chefs tend to incorporate the leaf at the top of the stalk in their recipes which adds a unique texture to the dish.
Can You Substitute Parsley With Cilantro and Cilantro With Parsley?
The answer to this is that it depends on the recipe. Because both share a peppery aftertaste and an emerald leafy green look, you could substitute Parsley with Cilantro in a dish like Tabbouleh. You won’t get the typical minty fresh flavour you would expect from the dish, nor would it be authentic.
Key Takeaways From Cilantro vs Parsley
Here are the key things to remember when trying to distinguish Cilantro from Parsley and vice versa:

Appearance
Flavor
Uses
Health Benefits
Cilantro Also Offers An Abundance of Different Health Benefits
Differences Between Parsley and Cilantro
Similarities Between Parsley and Cilantro
- Both come from the same plant family: Apiaceae
- Both are green in color but differslightly in tone
- Flat-leaf parsley and cilantro are very similar in appearance
- Both are commonly used as a garnish
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict