Coriander
Coriander suppliers and sourcing guide
Coriander is the dried, ripe fruit (seed) of Coriandrum sativum, the same plant whose leaves are sold as cilantro. Major producers include India, Russia, Ukraine, Morocco, Bulgaria and Canada. Seeds are harvested when dry, cleaned and sold whole or ground; distilling the seed gives coriander oil, high in linalool. Brands buy ground or whole seed for seasoning blends, sausages, curry powders and baked goods, and the oil for flavors.
- Also known as
- Coriandrum sativum · Coriander seed · Cilantro seed · Dhania
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of coriander
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Whole seed
Cleaned seed in large-seeded (Moroccan, Indian) or small-seeded (European) types, which differ in oil content.
Ground coriander
Powdered seed for blends and seasonings.
Coriander seed oil
Steam-distilled oil standardized for linalool, used in flavors.
Dried cilantro leaf
Leaf of the same plant, sold as a separate herb item.
Steam-treated and organic
Steam-treated lots for ready-to-eat use, and certified organic coriander.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Volatile oil
- Volatile oil by steam distillation; small-seeded types usually test higher.
- Purity and foreign matter
- Split seeds, weed seeds and extraneous matter by sorting for whole seed.
- Moisture
- Moisture by distillation or loss on drying.
- Total and acid-insoluble ash
- Ash by gravimetry; acid-insoluble ash measures sand and soil and is the usual cleanliness check for ground coriander.
- Pesticide residues
- Multi-residue pesticide screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS against the buyer specification.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella; raw spices commonly carry high counts, so state whether the lot was steam-treated or otherwise treated.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store coriander in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Oil content and seed size depend on variety and origin, so record origin, seed type and volatile oil for each lot. Ground coriander loses aroma within months, so rotate first-expiry, first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.10 lists coriander (Coriandrum sativum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 182.20 lists coriander extractives, including essential oil and solvent-free oleoresin, among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes coriander seed as the dried ripe seed of Coriandrum sativum, with quality measured by total and acid insoluble ash.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Coriander suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking coriander suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell coriander? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of coriander can brands buy?
Common forms include whole seed, ground coriander, coriander seed oil, dried cilantro leaf and steam-treated and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for coriander include?
Expect volatile oil, purity and foreign matter, moisture, total and acid-insoluble ash, pesticide residues and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should coriander be stored?
Store coriander in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.
What is the regulatory status of coriander?
21 CFR 182.10 lists coriander (Coriandrum sativum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 lists coriander extractives, including essential oil and solvent-free oleoresin, among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes coriander seed as the dried ripe seed of Coriandrum sativum, with quality measured by total and acid insoluble ash.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
- Vanilla extractExtract of vanilla · Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Natural flavorsNatural flavoring · Natural flavour
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
- CinnamonCinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) · Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cassia)
- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
- CloveSyzygium aromaticum · Eugenia caryophyllata
- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
Sell ingredients to brands?
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.