Description: Caraway seeds can be used whole or ground up to flavor a dish. Some cultures even use the leaves of the caraway plant for a garnish or base of a soup.
Many European and Middle Eastern cuisines cook with caraway in unique ways. For example, harissa, a spicy Tunisian chili pepper paste, typically contains caraway in addition to other spices. Hungarian and Austrian cuisines often add caraway to meats and stews. Rye bread recipes across Scandinavian and Eastern European countries often add caraway seeds for additional texture and flavor.
Health Benefits
- May reduce inflammation
Several caraway compounds demonstrate strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While inflammation is a natural bodily response, chronic inflammation can lead to various ailments, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Its symptoms may include ulcers, cramping, gas, diarrhoea, bowel urgency, and irritation of digestive tissue.
- May encourage healthy digestion
Caraway has historically been utilized to treat several digestive conditions, including indigestion and stomach ulcers. A handful of small human studies show that caraway oil relaxes your digestive tract’s smooth muscle tissue, thus relieving indigestion symptoms like gas, cramping, and bloating
- May promote weight loss
Caraway may support weight loss and body composition. In a 90-day study in 70 women, those who took 1 ounce (30 ml) of a 10% caraway oil solution daily experienced significantly greater reductions in weight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage than those who received a placebo. They also saw significant declines in total calorie and carb intake, compared with the placebo group. Scientists speculate that these effects may be due to positive changes in gut bacteria that affect hormone regulation, fat metabolism, and appetite.
Locations of Harvest
Time Period of Harvest
Harvest Process
Caraway spice is an under-used and infrequently grown plant in most herb gardens. It is native to Europe and western Asia where it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil with pH ranges of 6.5 to 7.0. It isn’t a good plant for hot, humid climates and prefers cool temperate zones. Sow the seeds 1/2-inch (1 cm.) deep in fall or spring. Very little cultivation is required in caraway growing, but adequate moisture is an important component in the first year. The foliage of caraway plants needs to be kept dry during irrigation, so a drip hose is an excellent way to keep the soil moisture level up. The seeds are harvested when they turn a rich, deep brown colour.
