Coriander seeds, known in India as “dhaniya”, are the dried fruits of the Coriandrum sativum plant. They have a mild, warm and citrusy flavour and are one of the most widely used spices in Indian cooking, especially in curry powders and masalas.
Coriander seeds are small, round and light brown, with fine ridges. They are sold whole, split (dhaniya dal) or ground into powder. Roasting brings out their nutty, lemony aroma. India is the world’s largest producer of coriander seeds, and Ramganj Mandi in Rajasthan is one of the biggest coriander markets in Asia.