Naturevibe Botanicals Caraway Seeds, 1lb | Non-GMO and Gluten Free | Indian...

Description

As a biennial plant, caraway won’t mature (produce fruit) until the second growing season, though its leaves in the first year can be a nice addition to a soup or salad. The caraway plant can grow up to three feet tall, with delicate, feathery leaves. Caraway will bloom white or pink flowers from May to July before producing its fruit.
Caraway seeds don’t seem to be seeds at all. The caraway plant produces its seeds in achenes. Achenes are a type of fruit defined by its simple, dried form – and that they contain only one seed. So technically, the “seeds” we use from the caraway plant are if truth be told an achene, or fruit. The fruit (and leaves) of the caraway plant are very similar to other plants in the celery family, which is why caraway is every now and then at a loss for words with fennel or cumin.
Caraway, on the other hand, is a distinct plant. Caraway seeds are also distinct, though only upon close inspection. The crescent shaped caraway seed is darker in color and smoother than the cumin seed. Caraway seeds are also bitterer than cumin. The aroma of caraway seeds can be described as reasonably minty or peppery.
Caraway seeds have an anise-like (mild licorice) flavor, though it is more complex and less pronounced than the anise flavor in fennel seeds. Like fennel seeds, caraway can be used as an anise seed substitute, but they do have a distinct flavor of their own.Caraway seeds also have an herbal bitterness with pronounced aromatic qualities. For this reason caraway seeds are a common savory spice in traditional European cooking and baking.
The unique flavor profile of caraway seeds is as a result of the high concentration of natural essential oils. In conjunction with the dense supply of antioxidants, these volatile oils are at the back of many of the medicinal and health benefits of caraway.