Fresh coriander, mint and green chillies
Fresh herbs are what make a curry taste finished, which is why bunches of fresh dhania (coriander leaves, dhone pata in Bengali) and pudina (mint) are among the things our customers pick up… 8 Products
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Fresh coriander, mint and green chillies
Fresh herbs are what make a curry taste finished, which is why bunches of fresh dhania (coriander leaves, dhone pata in Bengali) and pudina (mint) are among the things our customers pick up most often. They come in proper bunches, the way you'd buy them at a sabzi stall in Lahore, Dhaka or Delhi, not in tiny supermarket packets.
Green chillies come in more than one style. There are the classic long green chillies and the small, fiery bullet chillies – bombay morich to Bengali cooks – in 150 g bags or by the kilo for big kitchens. Fresh curry leaves round things off for South Indian and Sri Lankan cooking, and you'll find dried herbs on the spice shelf.
Coriander and mint are the backbone of green chutney, raita and the layers of a biryani, while green chillies go into almost every tadka. Pair them with ginger-garlic paste, fresh vegetables such as lauki, potol and tori, or browse the full fruit and vegetables range. Buy them in our Dresden-Neustadt shop or with your online order.
Keeping herbs and chillies fresh
- Coriander and mint: trim the stems, stand the bunch in a glass of water like flowers and loosely cover it with a bag. Or wrap it unwashed in kitchen paper and keep it in a tub in the salad drawer.
- Green chillies: pull off the stalks and store them dry in a box lined with kitchen paper. They freeze well whole or chopped, which is fine for curries.
- Curry leaves: freeze brilliantly and can go straight from the freezer into hot oil.
For a quick green chutney, blend a handful of coriander, half a handful of mint, two green chillies, the juice of half a lemon, salt and a few spoonfuls of yoghurt. It's perfect with samosas, pakoras and chaat. For dry heat, reach for chilli powder instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is dhania in English?
Dhania is coriander. Fresh dhania means the leaves, which Americans call cilantro. Dhania powder or whole dhania seeds are the dried seeds, which taste quite different: warm, nutty and slightly citrusy.
How hot are bullet green chillies?
Noticeably hotter than the long green variety. One or two are usually enough for a curry serving four. If you prefer it milder, slit the chilli lengthways and add it whole, then fish it out before serving.
Can I order fresh herbs online?
Yes, fresh coriander, mint and green chillies can be added to your online order and ship with GLS. If you live in Dresden, the freshest option is to pick them up at our shop on Bautzner Straße 16.
Can you freeze fresh coriander?
Yes. The easiest way is to chop it and freeze it in ice-cube trays with a little water or oil. It won't look pretty enough for garnishing afterwards, but it's perfect stirred into curries, dal and chutneys.