Organic spices
The health benefits of caraway seeds have been known since ancient times. In fact, caraway (carum carvi) is still one of the oldest herbs and medicinal plants still used in Europe. In addition to healing, cumin has a long culinary and medicinal history.
What are corms? Caraway is a plant of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family. The Apiaceae family includes celery, carrot, fennel and parsley varieties with aromatic properties. Caraway come from Europe, North Africa and West Asia. A caraway plant, in its first year the leaves can be an excellent addition to soup or salad. The caraway plant with its soft feathery leaves can grow up to a metre tall. The caraway bloom with white or pink flowers from May to July, before they start to ripen.
What are caraway seeds? The seeds and leaves of caraway are very similar to those of other plants in the celery genus, which is why cumin is sometimes confused with fennel and cumin seeds. Caraway seeds are distinguishable, although only on close inspection. The hemispherical caraway seeds are darker in colour and smoother than spicy cumin seeds. Caraway is also more bitter than spice. The aroma of caraway seeds can be described as slightly minty or peppery.
How do caraway taste? Caraway seeds have an anise flavour, although it is less pronounced than the anise flavour of fennel seeds. Caraway seeds also have an herbal bitterness with strong aromatic properties. That’s why caraway is a common savoury spice in traditional European cuisine and baked goods.
How are Caraway used? Caraway has long been used as both a culinary and medicinal herb. In fact, the collection of Caraway dates back to the Neolithic period. In the Middle Ages, Caraway was used as a digestive aid after large feasts to prevent flatulence and other digestive problems. In addition to its many culinary uses, caraway is also scientifically recognised for its medicinal properties. The small hemispherical caraway seeds promote healthy digestion, reduce gas, prevent bloating and heartburn.
Use of caraway in food production: caraway is popular in traditional European cuisine as a seasoning in cabbage dishes, sauerkraut, bread, onion cakes, baked potatoes and many other condiments. It was believed that those who include caraway in their diet improve their health. Caraway also has some antimicrobial properties, which may help the growth of beneficial gut bacteria such as bifidobacteria, a common component of probiotics, while fighting bacteria such as streptococcus. Caraway improves digestion by stimulating the secretion of gastric juices and improving the circulation of blood and intestinal mucus through the stomach.
Recipe for comfrey tea
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon ground caraway, 200-300 ml hot water.
Preparation: crush the spices in a mortar or grind. The crushing of the seeds helps to extract essential oils and rich flavours. Use 1 teaspoon of ground caraway per cup of hot water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Do not steep the tea or use boiling water to avoid damaging the essential oils. This tea supports healthy digestion, especially after meals.
For a more thorough digestive support, mix equal parts of caraway, mint and chamomile. This blend is an ideal combination for the whole digestive tract. Caraway extract inhibits stomach gases and soothes the intestines, while mint reduces spasms and relaxes the stomach.
