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Caraway


Caraway, Carum carvi, also known as meridian fennel, or Persian cumin, is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to western Asia, Europe and Northern Africa.

The plant is similar in appearance to a carrot plant, with finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions, growing on 20–30 cm stems.

The main flower stem is 40–60 cm tall, with small white or pink flowers in umbels.

Caraway fruits are crescent-shaped achenes, around 2 mm long, with five pale ridges.

The plant prefers warm, sunny locations and well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

In warmer regions it is planted in the winter months as an annual.

In temperate climates it is planted as a summer annual or biennial.

The fruits, usually used whole, have a pungent, anise-like flavor and aroma that comes from essential oils, mostly carvone and limonene.

They are used as a spice in breads, especially rye bread.

Caraway is also used in liquors, casseroles, curry and other foods.

It is more commonly found in European cuisine.

It is also used to add flavor to cheeses.

Medicinally caraway has a long history of use.

It is mostly used as a decoction , either from the fruits or from fresh or dried foliage.

As a tisane the "seeds" are used as a remedy for colic, loss of appetite and digestive disorders.

An infusion of fruits and foliage is used as a vermifuge.

Caraway seed oil is also used as a fragrance component in soaps, lotions, and perfumes.

The roots may be cooked as a root vegetable like parsnips or carrots.