How much spice in coriander?

You might be thinking of coriander seeds, which are the dried fruits of the coriander plant. They have a warmer, more pungent flavor that can be considered spicy by some, especially when ground.

Here's a breakdown of coriander's spice level:

* Coriander leaves (Cilantro): Not spicy at all.

* Coriander seeds: Mildly spicy, depending on how they are used.

The "spice" of coriander seeds comes from their volatile oils, which are released when the seeds are ground or roasted. These oils contribute to their characteristic warmth and flavor.

To summarize:

* Coriander leaves (cilantro) are not spicy.

* Coriander seeds have a mild, warming flavor that some consider spicy.