Caraway

Written by on in Spices

Caraway is the dried, crescent-shaped fruit (commonly called seed) of a biennial herb in the Apiaceae family, valued for its warm, sweet, anise-like aroma dominated by the terpenes carvone and limonene.

CategorySpices
Scientific nameCarum carvi
OriginNative to Europe, Western Asia and North Africa; major producers include the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Egypt and Finland

History & Origins

Caraway is among the oldest cultivated spices in Europe, with seeds found in archaeological Mesolithic sites and in ancient Egyptian tombs dating to around 3000 BCE. The Greek physician Dioscorides documented its medicinal and culinary uses in De Materia Medica, and by the Middle Ages it was widely grown in monastery gardens across Europe, becoming a staple flavoring for breads, cheeses and spirits.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g, edible portion (estimated)

  • 333 kcalCalories
  • 19.8 gProtein
  • 14.6 gFat
  • 52.0 gCarbs
  • 38.0 gFiber
  • 0.6 gSugars
  • 1351 mgPotassium
  • 689 mgCalcium
  • 16.2 mgIron
  • 21.0 mgVitamin C
  • 64 mcgVitamin A

Culinary Uses

  • Essential flavoring in traditional Central and Eastern European rye and pumpernickel breads
  • Added to sauerkraut, cabbage dishes, pickled gherkins and stewed apples
  • Distilled or infused to make kümmel, aquavit and other caraway-flavored liqueurs
  • Ground into spice blends for Indian vegetable curries, lentil dals and North African harissa
  • Used to season pork roasts, sausages, goulash and aged cheeses such as Havarti and Tilsit

Known Benefits

  • Carminative properties help relieve bloating, flatulence and indigestion
  • Rich source of dietary fiber, iron and calcium
  • Contains antioxidants including carvone and limonene
  • Traditionally used to ease colic and support lactation in nursing mothers

Hidden Benefits

  • May exhibit antispasmodic activity helpful for menstrual and intestinal cramps
  • Essential oil shows in vitro antimicrobial effects against certain bacteria and fungi
  • Chewing seeds can freshen breath and stimulate salivary enzyme secretion
  • Possible glucose-lowering effect observed in preliminary animal studies

Cautions & Considerations

  • Can trigger allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to the Apiaceae family (celery, fennel, parsley)
  • May lower blood sugar; caution advised when combined with diabetes medication
  • Concentrated essential oil should not be ingested in large amounts without professional guidance
  • Large medicinal doses are not recommended during pregnancy