Caraway seeds
Caraway is a plant in the carrot family, which is cultivated for its small fruits. The dry fruits, which look like seeds, are used as a spice. The roots of the plant can be used as a root vegetable and the leaves can be used as a herb, similar to parsley.
Names
Scientific
Carum carvi
English
Caraway
Caraway seeds
Meridian fennel
Persian cumin
Dutch
Karwij
Karwijzaad
Wilde komijn
Spanish
Alcarahueya
Alcaravea
Alcaravia
Carvia
Comino de prado
French
Anis des prés
Anis des Vosges
Carvi
Cumin des prés
Faux anis
German
Gemeiner Kümmel
Kümmel
Wiesenkümmel
Italian
Carvi
Cumino dei prati
Kümmel
Taxonomy
Genus
Carum
Family
Apiaceae
Order
Apiales
Basic information and facts
Origin:
Caraway originates from western Asia, Europe and North Africa.
Distribution:
Main producer is Finland. Also produced in Netherlands, Central Europe, Egypt and Canada.
Annual, biennial, or perennial:
It is a biennial plant.
Flowers:
The main flower stem is 40–60 cm tall. The inflorescence is an umbel with small white or pink flowers.
Leaves:
The plant has fine feathery leaves with thread-like divisions.
Fruits:
The fruits are crescent-shaped, about 2 mm long, and have five pale ridges.
Climate and weather:
Temperate climate.
Height:
About 40 to 60 cm tall.
Spacing:
Propagation:
Propagated by seeds or by cuttings. Carraway is a biennial plant, so flowers and fruits will be produced in the second year.
Harvesting:
The fruits are harvested when they turn a rich deep brown color. The umbels are cut off the plant and kept in a paper bag. When dry, shake the bag to remove the fruits.
Uses:
The fruits of caraway are used as a spice for their pungent, anise-like flavor and aroma, for example in breads and cakes.
The roots of caraway are cooked and used as a vegetable.
Caraway leaves can be used as herbs, similar to parsley.
Proverbs and Quotes
- Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick. (Bible, Isaiah 28:27)
Crop categories
Vegetables
Root vegetables
Spices
Food crops
Pictures
Caraway seeds