Culantro is cilantro’s more-assertive cousin

What is it? Despite its popularity across Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, culantro is relatively unused among U.S. cooks. The herb’s aroma and flavor is similar to but more assertive than its cousin cilantro, although its appearance is much different. Culantro looks like a lettuce, with elongated, serrated leaves. Also known as false coriander or Mexican coriander, culantro is a staple ingredient in many Puerto Rican sofritos and Vietnamese phos.

Where can I find it? A 1-ounce container of Herbal Garden brand fresh culantro costs $2.49 at Publix.

This story was originally published October 7, 2014 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Culantro is cilantro’s more-assertive cousin."