Caraway
Latin Name: Carum carvi
Other Names: Persian cumin, meridian fennel
Uses: spice
What Is Caraway?
Caraway is a spice that comes from the seeds (technically, the fruit) of a plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae). Caraway is used throughout northern Europe, where it flavors many foods and liqueurs, and in Southeast Asia, where it is used in curries like Thai Massaman curry.
Why Is Caraway Healthy?
- Caraway is rich in the phytochemical carvone, which may aid in weight loss.
- It can offer relief from indigestion, especially when combined with peppermint.
- Caraway has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
What Does Caraway Taste Like?
Caraway has a crunchy texture and slightly woodsy flavor with the fragrance of spearmint or wintergreen and anise. (Cumin and thyme contain many of the same organic compounds found in caraway.) Caraway is probably what comes to mind when you think about how rye bread tastes.
How Do I Use Caraway?
In much of Europe, people use caraway to flavor liquors like aquavit and kümmel, but it’s most often used as a flavoring in breads, cheeses, soups, and stews. Try dry-toasting or frying caraway seeds in a hot pan with a little oil to enhance the flavor.
What Does Caraway Pair Well With?
In many European cuisines, caraway is used to flavor breads (especially rye) as well as cabbage and potato dishes, where it complements chervil, juniper berries, dark beer, molasses, peppercorns, and allspice. In the British Isles, caraway is appreciated for its sweeter side, taking a starring role in tea cakes and quick breads (especially Irish soda bread). In sweet bakes, caraway plays well with dried fruits (especially apricots, raisins, and black currant). In South and Southeast Asian cuisine, caraway plays less of a starring role but nonetheless harmonizes with its botanical cousins cumin, fennel, coriander, black cumin (jeera), and ajowan, as well as ginger, galangal, and chile.
Where Does Caraway Grow?
Caraway is native to western Asia, North Africa, and northern Europe. It is still primarily grown in Europe today; the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and Finland are the top producers. Caraway grows best in temperate climates with long summer hours.
How Do I Buy Caraway?
Caraway is typically sold as whole seeds. If you keep caraway seeds in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place, they’ll stay fresh for years. If you can find the fresh leaves or roots, treat them the same way you would parsley or parsnips; look for specimens without any mushy spots and stash them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.
Surprising Caraway Fact
Medieval folk belief held that caraway seeds possessed protective, almost magical properties that could prevent things from getting lost or stolen. As a result, they were often scattered among precious household objects. Farmers also fed caraway to their chickens, homing pigeons, ducks, and geese, believing it would keep them from wandering away and getting lost.
