All about Kothamalli
- What is Kothamalli in English? Kothamalli is called coriander seeds in English.
- What is the difference between coriander and cilantro? Cilantro is the plant that produces the coriander seeds
- Can both cilantro and coriander seeds be used in cooking? Yes! They are used in different capacities. Coriander seeds are ground into a powder and used as spices. They are also a part of curry powder. Cilantro is used as a garnish on many curries and even rice.
Kothamalli use in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, kothamalli is often paired with ginger and venivel gata to make a herbal drink. Today, I am sharing my mother’s recipe to make kothamalli which has helped me through many ailments (colds, fever, heartbreak, you name it). Venivel gata (Coscinium fenestratum/atturam/kadari) adds bitterness to the kothamalli, so please omit if you like.
Other Sri Lankan uses of Kothamalli
One popular Sri Lankan dish that features kothamalli and ginger is kothamalli sambol. This dish is made by grinding together fresh kothamalli leaves, ginger, onions, and chili peppers. The resulting mixture is then seasoned with salt, lime juice, and coconut. Kothamalli sambol is often served as a side dish with rice and curry. Another popular Sri Lankan dish that features kothamalli is chicken curry. Kothamalli is used as a garnish in this dish, adding a fresh and vibrant flavor to the curry. The combination of kothamalli and ginger also works well in seafood dishes, such as fish curry or prawn curry.
Overall, kothamalli is an important ingredient in Sri Lankan cuisine. It is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes, and its unique flavor profile makes it an essential component of Sri Lankan cooking.
Ingredients needed to make Kothamalli
(Sri Lankan Coriander Ginger Tea)
- Coriander seeds (1/4 cup)
- Ginger (2-3 inches)
- Venivel gata (optional)
Kothamalli drink
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Kothamalli
- 1 piece Ginger 2-3 inch piece
- 1 piece Venivel gata 2-3 inch piece
- 4 cups Water
Instructions
- Heat a pan on low heat (NO OIL), and add 1/4 cup of kothamalli
- Dry roast on low heat until the aromas are released. You will see the kothamalli changing color and getting darker at this time
- Add 4 cups of water, pieces of ginger and venivel gata (optional)
- Boil on low heat for about 20-30 mins with the lid closed
- Drain the seeds and serve the tea warm
Notes
Step by step instructions to make Kothamalli drink (Sri Lankan Coriander Ginger tea)
Heat a pan on low heat (NO OIL), and add 1/4 cup of kothamalli
Dry roast on low heat until the aromas are released. You will see the kothamalli changing color and getting darker at this time
Add 4 cups of water, pieces of ginger and venivel gata (optional). Boil on low heat for about 20-30 mins with the lid closed. Drain the seeds and serve the tea warm.
This is the piece of venivelgata that I added to my tea.
