Cracked Coriander?

[Tilldeath]

So I got this recipe from AHS http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_452_378_379&products_id=396 has a lot of recommendations from people so thought I'd give it a try. My only question is, it says on the recipe to add cracked coriander, the kit came with the coriander but it doesn't appear to be cracked. Is it fine how it is to use or should I crack it first before adding?

 

[troutab81]

So I got this recipe from AHS http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_452_378_379&products_id=396 has a lot of recommendations from people so thought I'd give it a try. My only question is, it says on the recipe to add cracked coriander, the kit came with the coriander but it doesn't appear to be cracked. Is it fine how it is to use or should I crack it first before adding?

I use pellet coriander, by crack them in my coffee grinder prior to putting it in. I try not to let it get to a powder, but just enough.

 

[Potter1]

or use a rolling pin. Put the coriander under an old sheet or other cloth, roll the rolling pin until you hear them break (it takes some pressure). No powder this way, and you dont have to have a dedicated spice grinder

 

[weirdboy]

I use a mortar and pestle.

 

[FreeM80s]

keep them in the bag, put the bag on a cutting board and roll an empty beer bottle over them. they are much easier to crack than grains and you should not have to try very hard

 

[Homercidal]

I put them in a heavy ziplock and roll them over with a wine bottle.

 

[IrregularPulse]

The 3 times I used them, I grinded them up nice and fine. Why don't you want powder??

 

[Tilldeath]

cool thanks, that's what I figured. Can't wait to see how this turns out. Any advice on how to keep the color really light? I'm doing a mini mash which still has extract so I figure a late addition will help, but since it's a wit I don't want to over do the hops.

 

[Revvy]

The 3 times I used them, I grinded them up nice and fine. Why don't you want powder??

Because you want some surface area to release the essential oils in the spice. If you've ever noticed there is a huge difference in smell (and flavor) between a ground spice and a whole one, especially a whole one gently cracked.

Think pepper. Dump some of the powdery stuff out of a pepper shaker into your hand and give it a sniff. Then take a single pepper corn, smell it whole, and then crush it. You will have three different aromas, with the ground being the less fresh and intense seeming, with the whole corn being better, and the crushed one being the best.

Same with any spice, if you have your choice between a pre-ground and a whole spice, that you can either crush or grind yourself, go for the latter.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Meat tenderizer hammer and a light touch.

Or, a pepper grinder set for a very rough grind.

 

[malkore]

I use two spoons and press the together to crack em

 

[jimmywit]

I use coriander all the time. I always put it in a ziplock bag and use a rolling pin. It works like a charm. I also love the smell of fresh cracked coriander

 

[dukeredhair]

Ziploc bag and the back of a cast iron skillet for me. A couple gentle wacks and it's done.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Because you want some surface area to release the essential oils in the spice. If you've ever noticed there is a huge difference in smell (and flavor) between a ground spice and a whole one, especially a whole one gently cracked.

Think pepper. Dump some of the powdery stuff out of a pepper shaker into your hand and give it a sniff. Then take a single pepper corn, smell it whole, and then crush it. You will have three different aromas, with the ground being the less fresh and intense seeming, with the whole corn being better, and the crushed one being the best.

Same with any spice, if you have your choice between a pre-ground and a whole spice, that you can either crush or grind yourself, go for the latter.

I definitely agree fresh cracked vs preground. I was asking the difference between fresh crack and fresh ground.

 

[WortHog1242]

I've put some in a spoon and crushed them with another spoon...works great.

 

[SupraSPL]

I used the rolling pin method too, crushes it up nicely.

 

[evan1982]

Has anyone ever tried to pan roast the corriander seeds before use?

 

[unionrdr]

They do it with spices & such for cooking to release the oils for better flavor before cracking or grinding. Should be good here if yoou like a bit darker/richer flavor from them. A dry cast iron pan is good for this.

 

[Revvy]

Has anyone ever tried to pan roast the corriander seeds before use?

yes, and then I crack them.... Both in cooking and in brewing. That is the best way to handle ANY dry spices.