In the words of the song ‘the times they are a-changing’.  Time was when the UK’s favourite herb was parsley, but our cosmopolitan tastes has seen coriander take the number one spot in the league table of fresh herbs.  Basil, another relative newcomer, and parsley have been relegated to numbers two and three.  Apparently coriander now accounts for a quarter of all fresh herb sales, despite only having been grown commercially in Britain since the 1970s.  The placings have been revealed by Fresh Herbs, the organisation which represents most commercial herb growers in Britain.

Coriander is, of course, used in many curries and other Oriental dishes – and our love affair with curries is well documented, so coriander’s position should be no surprise.  It is also incredibly easy to grow from seed, which can be sown during May in the garden or in pots in the greenhouse.  Like many of out customers, we are hooked on its unique flavour, but don’t just keep it for curries.  The baby leaves are a great addition to a mixed leaf salad.