Coriander seed
- First taste
- 6 months
- Choking risk
- low
- Common allergen
- no
- Iron
- low
A pinch of ground, remove whole seeds
When can babies eat coriander seed?
Coriander seed can go into your baby's food when your baby is ready for solids, around 6 months.
Coriander seed comes from the cilantro plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. Cooks use it in spice mixes, curries, soups and baking. In South Asian, South American and European cooking, it adds warmth, citrus notes and depth.
Cilantro is the name for the leaves and stems of this plant, while coriander seed is its dried fruit. The two taste very different.
Nutrition
In cooking amounts, coriander seed adds little nutrition. It holds small amounts of vitamins, minerals and fiber. The source mentions some possible benefits of the seed, but these are not proven for babies.
Avoid coriander seed oil. Its safety for babies has not been studied enough.
How do you prepare coriander seed for babies?
Use a little
Begin with just a dusting of ground coriander. The flavor is distinct. If you cooked with whole seeds, find and remove them before putting food on your baby's plate.
Skin reactions
Spiced foods can leave a harmless red patch around the mouth. They can make diaper rash worse. Putting a light coat of protective ointment on the face and bottom ahead of the meal may help.
Preparation by age
The same food is served differently at each age. What matters is how your baby sits, grasps and chews, more than the calendar.
6 months
6 months · How to use as a spicemash
Cut: Ground
Stir a little ground coriander into purées, mashed vegetables or meat strips cut for your baby's age. If you flavor a soup, porridge or stew with whole seeds, pick the seeds out of your baby's portion before serving.
12 months
12 months · How to use in mealscube
Use ground coriander or whole seeds cooked until soft in your child's meals. You can add it to sauces and baked goods. Be careful with dishes that hold whole seeds. They should be cooked until soft or taken out before serving.
Is coriander seed a choking hazard for babies?
Choking risk: low
Ground coriander carries no risk. Pick whole seeds out of your baby's portion after cooking. They are small and hard.
Ground coriander and very small amounts of seed are low risk. In theory, any food can cause choking. Whole seeds are small and hard. Take them out of your baby's portion. Prepare food for your child's age and stay close at meals.
Take out the seeds
Make sure no seeds remain in your baby's portion of a dish cooked with whole seeds. After 12 months, serve seeds only if cooked until soft.
Is coriander seed a common allergen?
Coriander seed is not a common allergen. Allergy to it is rare but has been reported. Some coriander spice mixes may hold common allergens. If your child has a food allergy, read labels closely.
People with pollen food allergy syndrome may react to coriander. This is most likely with birch or mugwort pollen allergy, or sensitivity to foods in the parsley family (Apiaceae). Members of that family are fennel, dill, cumin, anise, celery and carrot, to name some. Cooking coriander can reduce the reaction.
Spices can also cause allergy-like reactions. Breathing in ground coriander can irritate the nose and set off sneezing and coughing. That may not be an allergy.
For the first try, offer a small amount and watch your baby's response.
Key nutrients
Frequently asked questions about coriander seed
Are coriander seed and cilantro the same thing?
Both come from one plant. Cilantro means the leaves and stems, and coriander seed means the dried fruit. Their flavors are very different.
Can I give whole coriander seeds?
Not at 6 months. Pick whole seeds out of your baby's portion. After 12 months, seeds cooked until soft can be served.
Can babies have coriander seed oil?
No. Avoid coriander seed oil, because its safety for babies has not been studied enough.
Sources for this page
- Prachayasittikul V, Prachayasittikul S, Ruchirawat S, Prachayasittikul V. (2018). Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ): A promising functional food toward the well-being. Food Research International. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2017.11.019
- Kanerva L, Estlander T, Jolanki R. (1996). Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. Contact Dermatitis. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1996.tb02334.x
- Brussino L, Nicola S, Giorgis V, Rolla G. (2018). Beer anaphylaxis due to coriander as hidden allergen. BMJ Case Reports. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-225562
- Słowianek M, Majak I, Leszczyńska J, Smolińska B, Mańkowska D, Buczyłko K, et al. (2020). New allergens from spices in the Apiaceae family: anise Pimpinella anisum L. and caraway Carum carvi L. Central European Journal of Immunology. doi:10.5114/ceji.2020.101236
- Manzanedo L, Blanco J, Fuentes M, Caballero ML, Moneo I. (2004). Anaphylactic reaction in a patient sensitized to coriander seed. Allergy. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2004.00189.x
Guides on iron, allergen introduction, gagging and drinks. Read the starting solids guides
Medical note
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your pediatrician before any feeding decision, especially about allergen introduction and reactions.
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Astro Tasarım Simay Yenice · Türkiye · merhaba@lokmini.com