In cooking, spices play an important role in shaping the flavor and aroma of dishes. However, many people, especially beginners, often confuse pepper (merica) and coriander (ketumbar). At first glance, they do look similar. To avoid choosing the wrong spice again, let’s learn the complete differences between pepper and coriander below!

What is Pepper?

Pepper comes from the Piper nigrum plant and is one of the oldest spices used in human history. The peppercorns are dried and used to add spiciness and distinctive aroma to various dishes.

Types of Pepper

There are several common types of pepper available:

White Pepper: Made from ripe peppercorns soaked until the outer skin peels off, leaving white seeds. White pepper has a subtle spiciness and is commonly used in seafood dishes, clear soups, and cream sauces.

Black Pepper: Obtained from unripe peppercorns that are dried. This process gives them a black color and wrinkled texture. Black pepper has a sharper, more complex spiciness, suitable for steaks, sauces, and strongly flavored dishes.

Green Pepper: Made from young peppercorns dried using special techniques to maintain their green color. Green pepper offers a fresh, milder spiciness, widely used in Thai and South Indian cuisine.

Characteristics of Pepper

• Size: About 3-5 mm in diameter
• Color: Black, white, or green depending on processing
• Aroma and Taste: Sharp spiciness, pungent, with strong aroma
• Usage: Used whole or ground in soups, meat marinades, stir-fries, and salad dressings

Getting to Know Coriander

Coriander comes from the Coriandrum sativum plant. Interestingly, all parts of this plant can be used – leaves, seeds, flowers, and roots. However, in Indonesian cuisine, coriander seeds are most commonly used.

Characteristics of Coriander

• Size: Smaller than pepper, about 1-3 mm in diameter
• Color: Golden yellow or light brown
• Aroma and Taste: Warm aroma, slightly sweet, with mild and slightly bitter taste
• Texture: Hard but brittle shell with hollow interior

Coriander is widely used in Indonesian spice pastes for dishes like rendang, soto, fried chicken, and various sambals. Typically, coriander is roasted first before grinding to maximize its aroma.

Comparison Between Pepper and Coriander

For easier differentiation, here’s a simple table:

Understanding these differences helps you choose the right spice to enhance your dishes.

Health Benefits of Pepper and Coriander

Besides enriching flavor, both spices offer health benefits:

Benefits of Pepper

• Natural Antioxidant: Piperine in pepper helps protect against free radicals
• Anti-inflammatory: Helps reduce inflammation
• Improves Digestion: Stimulates digestive enzyme production

Benefits of Coriander

• Digestive Health: Reduces bloating, diarrhea, and other digestive issues
• Lowers Blood Sugar: Coriander water is believed to help control blood sugar
• Boosts Appetite: Its aroma and taste can stimulate appetite

Coriander extract is even used in skincare products for its skin benefits!

Tips for Choosing and Storing Pepper and Coriander

For maximum benefits:

• Choose whole seeds over ground powder for fresher aroma
• Store in airtight containers in cool, dry places
• Grind peppercorns and coriander seeds just before use to preserve optimal aroma and flavor

Understanding the differences between pepper and coriander not only enriches your culinary knowledge but also helps create more delicious, authentic dishes. While traditional spices are important, quality complementary ingredients like creamer can also innovate your cooking.

Creamer isn’t just for coffee – it can enrich the flavor and texture of various dishes from sauces, soups to desserts. For this, be sure to choose high-quality creamer products from Santos Premium Creamer (SPK). SPK products are trusted by many food and beverage industry players for their consistent quality, taste, and safety. Let’s create creative and delicious dishes with Santos Creamer in your kitchen!