No, coriander is not a nut.
Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ) is an herb belonging to the parsley family (Apiaceae). While the seeds of the coriander plant are commonly used as a spice, they are, botanically speaking, seeds and not nuts. Nuts are a type of fruit with a hard, inedible outer shell and a single seed inside. Coriander seeds, on the other hand, develop from the flowers of the coriander plant. The leaves of the coriander plant are referred to as cilantro or Chinese parsley.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Coriander Seed | Nut |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Type | Seed | Fruit |
| Plant Family | Apiaceae (Parsley) | Varies |
| Common Use | Spice | Food (snack, ingredient) |
Therefore, based on its botanical classification and structure, coriander is definitively not a nut. It is an herb whose seeds are used as a spice.
