Caraway

Carum carvi

Caraway

This plant is a member of the Apiaceae family and looks like its cousin the carrot. It’s native to Western Asia, Europe and North Africa and prefers a warm sunny climate Caraway produces a tiny fruit erroneously referred to as a seed. The literature cites several possibilities for the derivation of the name Caraway, many referring it to a blending of the Latin (cuminum for cumin) and Greek (karon, also for cumin) into the current Latin genus, Carum. If you’ve eaten Rye Bread you’ve tasted Caraway fruits.

What is Caraway Used For?

It contains large amounts of essential oils and has been traditionally used to flavor various liqueurs and digestive aperitifs. The fruits were also used in Sauerkraut to help dispel gas and flavor the sour tasting delicacy. Many digestive teas in Europe use Caraway seeds to help ease occasional digestive discomfort and tension from bloating.