Coriandrum sativum. The donor who gave us this seed in 1988 said it came from the Wong family who ran R&R Groceries, one of many Chinese-owned grocery stores in Tucson in the mid 1900's. The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center says "By the 1940s, approximately 100 Chinese grocery stores graced the streets of downtown Tucson .... most relied almost entirely on family labor." This seed holds a bit of that history. It also reminds us of the wide popularity of this herb in cuisines around the world. This variety self-seeded near the old grocery building and is said to be slower to bolt than other cilantro varieties. Mild, bright flavor, not overpowering. Save the coriander seed to grind for recipes or to plant again. From our Seed Bank Collection. Origin: low desert, about 2500' elevation This is a cool season crop in the low desert, and needs to be planted into cool soil (late winter through very early spring) ... elsewhere grow it in the spring. Approx. 1g/100 seeds per packet. Limit 3 packets.
