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Caraway seeds

Also Known As : Shahjeera or kala jeera (Hindi), Shahi jeeru (Gujarati) , Shajeera (Marathi), Karun Jeerakam (Tamil), Seema Sopyginjale (Telugu), Seemajeerakam (Malayalam), Jira or Zira (Bengali), Gunyun (Kashmiri), Zira-siah (Punjabi), Sushavi (Sanskrit), Karwif (Dutch), Karaway (Arabic), Grainsde Carvi (French), Fang Feng (Chinese), Caro (Italian)
Technical Name : Carum carvi
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Vegetarian

Taste Profile

Caraway seeds have an earthy flavor with a hint of citrus and pepper.

Usage Tips

  1. Caraway seeds are also used in flavoring curries, soups, sausages, vegetables, and even liquors.
  2. It is frequently used in baking also.
  3. It can be used to add a warm bite to fruit-based desserts and sweets like pies, tarts, jams, jellies, and custards.
  4. The essential oil extracted from caraway is used to flavour liquors, mouthwashes, toothpastes and chewing gums.
  5. Cheddar cheese with caraway seeds is a popular spice mixed, hard cheese in UK.
  6. Store it in a cool, dry and dark place inside air sealed containers.

Common names and forms

  1. Caraway
  2. Caraway Powder
  3. Carway
  4. Organic Caraway
  5. Shahi jeera
  6. Siah Jeera (Caraway Seeds)

Description

Caraway seeds are brown in color and have a pleasant odor with a sharp taste. It has a narrow elongated carpel, curved and pointed at ends with nearly five longitudinal ridges on the surface. It is often considered to be seeded but it is originally a dried fruit. It is a native spice of North and Central Europe. Today it is extensively cultivated in Holland, Russia, Poland, Bulgaria, Denmark, Rumania, Syria, Morocco, and to a small extent in England, and the US. However, Holland is one of the largest producers.These aromatic seeds are rich in essential oil, and consumed like a condiment, and medicine. They are widely used as a spice, for flavoring dishes. Shahi jeera is an aromatic spice found in dry regions of northwest Himalayas, alpine areas of Himachal Pradesh, and Kashmir, and Uttaranchal.

Health benefits

  • The oil present in caraway seeds relaxes the digestive tracts’ smooth muscle tissue and relieves symptoms of indigestion like gas, cramping, and bloating. This aids the process of digestion. (1)
  • Caraway seeds have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to volatile compounds like volatile compounds carvone, limonene, carveol, pinene, cumuninic aldehyde, furfurol, and thujone. This provides relief against various symptoms of inflammatory bowel disorder like ulcers, cramping, gas, diarrhea, bowel urgency, and irritation of digestive tissue. (1), (2)
  • It is a rich source of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber increases the bulk of the food and helps prevent constipation by speeding up its movement through the gut. This boosts the body metabolism and aids weight loss. (2)
  • It contains copper and zinc as well. Copper is required for the production of red blood cells in the body and Zinc acts as a co-factor for many enzymes that regulate growth and development, digestion and nucleic acid synthesis.(2)
  • Potassium present in these seeds is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. (2)

Selection Guide

Buy whole caraway seeds as whole spices retain their flavor and aroma for longer if you store them properly.

Note

Caraway might lower blood sugar levels. There is a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using caraway at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery (3)

Resource & Links

(1) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caraway#benefits

(2) https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/caraway-seed.html

(3) https://www.emedicinehealth.com/caraway/vitamins-supplements.htm

 

- Disclaimer
"Information here is provided for discussion and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or product or ingredient review/rating. The information may not apply to you and before you use or take any action, you should contact the manufacturer, seller, medical, dietary, fitness or other professional. If you utilize any information provided here, you do so at your own risk and you waive any right against Culinary Communications Private Limited, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or representatives.”