Caraway

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