Cilantro Secrets

The Full Conversation

The complete script for this episode, with the two hosts, in eleven parts.

1. 01Intro

   Amiyah: Hey guys, hope y'all having a good day. How is y'all today?
   Poke: Living the gold leaf life. You good, Amiyah?
   Amiyah: Feeling great and ready to learn something new.
   Amiyah: All right, let's spin the wheel and see what we have today.
   Poke: boom. Cilantro!
   Amiyah: The wheel clicked to a stop on cilantro, the bright herb that people either adore or playfully argue about. The hosts dug into one of the most loved and debated herbs in the world.
   Poke: Cilantro. Honestly a solid spin. Let us dig in.

2. 02History

   Amiyah: Give me the history. Where did cilantro begin?
   Poke: Cilantro is one of the oldest herbs known to cooks, grown for thousands of years across the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Its seeds, known as coriander, were found in ancient sites.
   Amiyah: I did not know that at all.
   Poke: Over time cilantro spread to Asia and the Americas, where it became a defining flavor in countless beloved dishes.

3. 03Fun Facts

   Amiyah: What are the facts that are going to blow my mind today?
   Poke: Cilantro leaves and coriander seeds come from the very same plant.
   Amiyah: Wait, really?
   Poke: Some people taste a soapy note in cilantro because of their genes.
   Amiyah: Okay, that is so good to know.
   Poke: It is one of the most widely used fresh herbs in the world.
   Amiyah: I did not know that at all.
   Poke: The whole plant is edible, from leaves to stems to roots.

4. 04Varieties

   Amiyah: Break down the different types for me.
   Poke: Cilantro is enjoyed in different parts and forms.
   Amiyah: Go on.
   Poke: Fresh cilantro leaves are bright and citrusy.
   Amiyah: Cilantro stems are tender and full of flavor.
   Poke: Okay, that is so good to know.
   Amiyah: Coriander seeds are warm and gently citrusy when ground.

5. 05World Use

   Amiyah: I love this part. How do different cultures enjoy it?
   Poke: In Mexico, cilantro tops tacos and brightens salsas.
   Amiyah: That tracks.
   Poke: In India, cilantro finishes curries and blends into chutneys.
   Amiyah: Wait, really?
   Poke: In Thailand, cilantro roots are pounded into curry pastes.
   Amiyah: Okay, that is so good to know.
   Poke: In the Middle East, cilantro flavors herb sauces and stews.

6. 06Myth

   Amiyah: Let us bust a myth. What have we got?
   Poke: A lot of people think some say people who dislike cilantro are just being picky.
   Amiyah: See, this is why I love this show.
   Poke: Here is the truth. For some people cilantro really does taste soapy, and that comes down to genetics rather than preference. Both experiences are real.

7. 07Fan Question

   Poke: Time for our favorite part, the fan question.
   Poke: Can you use cilantro stems, or just the leaves?
   Amiyah: Great question.
   Amiyah: The stems are tender and tasty, so you can chop and use them right along with the leaves for even more flavor.

8. 08Host Opinions

   Amiyah: Here is where I land on this one, no sugar coating.
   Amiyah: I will be real, this one is growing on me the more we talk about it.
   Poke: Classic Amiyah take. I respect the commitment to the bit.
   Amiyah: Amiyah loves a big handful of fresh cilantro over tacos.
   Poke: Poke prefers cilantro stirred gently into warm rice.
   Poke: I mean, you are not wrong, but you are also very dramatic about it.

9. 09Lightning Round

   Amiyah: Okay, quick facts, lightning round style.
   Amiyah: Cilantro and coriander are the same plant.
   Poke: It grows quickly and likes cooler weather.
   Amiyah: The flavor fades with long cooking, so add it near the end.
   Poke: It pairs beautifully with lime.

10. 10Recap

    Amiyah: So what did we take away from this one?
    Poke: The hosts learned that cilantro is an ancient, citrusy herb used around the world, loved by many and playfully debated by others, with leaves, stems, and seeds all worth using.

11. 11Recipe

    Amiyah: And now my favorite part, the recipe.
    Poke: Today we are making Fresh Cilantro Lime Rice. The full ingredients and steps are right below.
    Amiyah: Thanks for spinning with us. Spin It. Learn It. Love It.™

Recipe Segment

Fresh Cilantro Lime Rice