Caraway (Carum carvi) is a biennial plant native to western Asia, Europe and North America. It is also known as Meridian Fennel and Persian Cumin.
Caraway plant is quite similar to a carrot plant, with leaves that are feathery and finely divide with thread-like divisions. It bears small white or pink flowers in umbels on a flowering stem of 40-60 cm tall. Caraway fruits are crescent-shaped achenes, about 2 mm long, with five pale ridges.
Caraway fruit is usually used whole, contains essential oils carvone and limonene, which gives the fruit a pungent, anise-like flavor and aroma. The fruit is used as a spice in breads, especially rye bread. It is also used in liquors, cheese, casseroles, curry and other foods, especially in European cuisine.
Tea made from caraway seeds is used as a remedy for colic, loss of appetite and digestive disorders and to dispel worms. The seeds can be used as a fragrant component in soaps, lotions and perfumes.
Thymus herba-barona (Caraway Thyme) is sometimes used as a substitute for real caraway in recipes, as it has strong caraway scent.
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