Is yanxu cai and cilantro the same vegetable?

Cilantro is an annual herbaceous plant, named so because its stems and leaves contain a special fragrance. But some people say there is a vegetable on the market called yanxu cai that looks exactly like cilantro, so is yanxu cai cilantro? If not, what difference is there between the two?

1. Is yanxu cai cilantro

Yanxu cai is indeed cilantro. Yanxu is the scientific name of cilantro, while cilantro is the common name of this plant. Its other common names include yansui, husui and so on. Cilantro was introduced to our country very long ago. During the Han Dynasty, when Zhang Qian was sent on a mission to the Western Regions, cilantro was brought in along with it. The Qimin Yaoshu from the Northern Wei period already contains information about the cultivation methods and pickling techniques of cilantro.

Cilantro originated along the coast of the Mediterranean and in Central Asia, so cilantro has strong adaptability to the environment and can tolerate low and high temperatures. It can still grow normally at temperatures below zero, and only stops developing when the high temperature reaches above 30 degrees. In addition, it has no strict requirements for soil, so it can be planted all year round. When stir-frying, it is generally used as a seasoning, and it is mostly eaten in northern China.

2. The value of cilantro

Cilantro is divided into large-leaf varieties and small-leaf varieties. Large-leaf varieties have taller plants, larger leaves, and fewer and shallower notches. Their fragrance is not as strong as that of small-leaf varieties, but their yield is relatively high. Small-leaf varieties have shorter plants, small leaves with deep notches, a very strong fragrance, and strong adaptability, but their yield is slightly lower. Generally, small-leaf varieties are chosen for cultivation.

Cilantro contains many volatile oils, and its special aroma is released by these volatile oils. It can remove the fishy and gamey smell of meat, so adding some cilantro to certain dishes can achieve the unique effect of removing fishiness and gameiness and enhancing flavor. In traditional Chinese medicine, cilantro is believed to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, help stimulate the appetite and invigorate the spleen, and harmonize the middle jiao.

The above is some relevant knowledge about cilantro and yansui. When buying cilantro in the market, do not be fooled by unethical vendors using names.