Believed to have its roots in the Mediterranean region, coriander seeds were discovered in the Neolithic layer of the Nahal Hemel Cave in Israel. Notable historical occurrences include the Queen of Sheba's interactions with King Solomon as documented in the Holy Bible. An Egyptian papyrus from 1550 BC classifies coriander as a medicinal plant, while ancient Egyptian records from 2500 BC link it to the 5th dynasty. Tutankhamun's tomb contained around half a liter of coriander seeds, indicating its widespread use in ancient Egypt. Referred to as the "spice of happiness," it found applications in both culinary practices and addressing children's digestive issues.
The library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal, dating back to the 7th century BC, contains references to coriander cultivation. Ancient Egyptian literature mentions coriander varieties from Asia. Hippocrates integrated coriander into traditional Greek medicine (460-377 BC), and its cultivation in Greece dates back to at least the second millennium BC, as evidenced in writings by authors such as Aristophanes, Theophrastus, and Dioscorides.
In the Roman Empire, coriander was widely employed, with Apicius detailing 70 recipes in his cookbook. Romans and Greeks used coriander to flavor wine and for medicinal purposes. It was subsequently introduced to Great Britain by the Romans and was in use in Germany around 900 AD.
Coriander: Ancient Origins and Uses
