Are you looking for a way to spruce up the flavor of your favorite dishes? Caraway seeds are a great way to add a special touch to your meals. Caraway seeds have a unique flavor that is often described as nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet. They have a long history of being used in many different cultures for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It is a great addition to a variety of dishes, from soups and salads to breads and pastries. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of adding it to your dishes, some ways to cook with them, and recipes to get you started. We’ll also discuss the history and nutrition, as well as other uses for them. So, let’s dive into the wonderful world of caraway seeds!
Caraway Seeds Nutrition Facts and Calories Chart
Caraway seeds are a popular spice used in many recipes. They are also a great source of nutrition and have some impressive health benefits. Seeds are packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, as well as potassium, magnesium, and zinc. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and protein. They are rich in antioxidants, which may help protect your cells from damage. Studies have also shown that they may help to reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and even reduce the risk of certain cancers. Caraway seeds have a unique nutty flavor and can be used in a variety of recipes, from cakes and cookies to soups and salads. They are also a great addition to breads and other baked goods. Nutritional value per 100 g caraway seeds:
- Biotin: 0 µg
- Calcium: 1037 mg
- Carbohydrates (Carbs): 45.6 g
- Chloride: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Choline: 0 mg
- Chromium: 0 µg
- Copper: 4.4 mg
- Dietary Fiber: 17.5 g
- Energy (Calories): 364 kcal
- Fat: 10.3 g
- Iodine: 0 µg
- Iron: 16.8 mg
- Magnesium: 243 mg
- Manganese: 2.6 mg
- Molybdenum: 0 µg
- Pantothenic Acid: 0.2 mg
- Phosphorus: 613 mg
- Potassium: 1599 mg
- Protein: 16.9 g
- Saturated fat: 0.6 g
- Selenium: 0 µg
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Sugars: 0.1 g
- Vitamin A: 0 IU
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): 0.7 mg
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 0 mg
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 1.5 mg
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.4 mg
- Vitamin B9 (Folate / Folic Acid): 0 µg
- Vitamin B12: 0 µg
- Vitamin C: 0 mg
- Vitamin D: 0 IU
- Vitamin E: 0.7 mg
- Vitamin K: 0 µg
- Water: 5.8 g
- Zinc: 4.4 mg
Caraway Spice in India
This perennial plant is found in the wild in North America, Europe, and Asia. Caraway is best known in Europe in the making of rye bread, where the addition of caraway seeds aids in the digestion of starch. It is also a favorite addition to laxative herbs, tempering their violent effects.
- Scientific Binomial: Carum carvi
- Common English: Meridian fennel / Persian cumin
- Ayurvedic: Krishna jiraka / Kaaravi / Asita Jiraka /Kaashmira jiraka / Prithvikaa / Upakunchikaa / Sugandha Udgaar / Shodhana
- Unani: Zeeraa Siyaah / Kamoon / Kamoon-roomi
- Sanskrit
- Hindi / Urdu: Vilayati Jira
- Bengali: Keora bija
- Marathi
- Telugu: Caraway vittanalu
- Tamil: Shimai-shembu / Semai Seearagam / Karamjiragam
- Gujarati
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Oriya
- Punjabi / Sindhi
- Assamese
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Manipuri
- Dogri
- Bhojpuri
Home Remedies
Some people believe that, caraway seeds protect your child from getting sick, ensure fidelity, and repel negativity. To keep away sickness and disease, place a small, tightly sealed bag of caraway seeds under child’s crib. Wearing an amulet of the seeds will improve memory, protect from evil spirits, encourage fidelity, and attract love. Chewing caraway seeds before an important date will help assure you of creating a loving relationship. To protect against unwanted visitors, sprinkle the seeds around the outside of home. As an added bonus, they will also repel bugs.
- Menstrual Cramps: Caraway is a pungent, heating / drying agent, known for its stimulant and carminative properties. As an antispasmodic, caraway will soothe the muscles in the digestive process. It can also relax uterine tissue and is therefore beneficial for menstrual cramps. The part of this to use is the seeds.
- Respiratory Issues: A calming herb that will help to ease flatulence. This use is particularly helpful in children. It also stimulates the appetite and because it is also an astringent it will help laryngitis, bronchitis and bronchial asthma. A tea made from anise, caraway, or fennel seed can also ease the heartburn, according to herbalists. Add 2 teaspoons of any of them to 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink. During asthma attack is helpful to inhale steam from the boiling water with caraway seeds, it dilate the bronchial passage.
- Stomach Problems: Caraway seeds, have been used for hundreds – perhaps thousands – of years to reduce gas and improve digestion. Chew half a teaspoon of the caraway seeds after a meal, or sprinkle them on food. You can also make caraway tea by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons crushed dried seeds in 1 cup just-boiled water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain, then drink. Chew and swallow a spoonful of caraway seeds when having indigestion. These seeds contain oils that soothe spasms in the gut, relieve nausea, and help control flatulence.
- Cramps and Pains: Cardamom and caraway can make aromatic blend to stop cramps and gas pains, especially when you overindulge at mealtime. Drink it at the first sign of pain or even better about 15 minutes before mealtime. This tea is also great for children’s stomachaches. To make this tea, in a mug, mix a quarter-teaspoon cardamom spice, a half-teaspoon ground fennel seed, a half-teaspoon ground caraway seed, and half a slice of fresh ginger root. Pour in one cup boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes.
- Stimulates Appetite: To stimulate the appetite drink a tea made from caraway and yarrow. Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried caraway and 1/2 teaspoon of dried yarrow to 1 cup of almost boiling water. Cover and leave for 5 minutes. Drink a cupful 30 minutes before mealtimes.
- Bloating: Caraway eases bloating and strengthens the digestive system. It is a warming remedy that is especially effective against stomach cramps. Add 1 teaspoon of bruised seeds to 1 cup of water, bring to the boil, cover and leave off the heat to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink at meal times.
- Bruises: Ground seeds made into a poultice will help fade bruises and is an old-fashioned cure for earaches.
- Caraway is also used in mouthwashes; to improve lactation in nursing mothers; and as an emmenagogue.
- Delayed Periods: For women have delayed periods in order to encourage the onset of their menstrual cycle, try making herbal and healthy tea with caraway seeds and vegetables.
- Bring 1 quart of water to a boil.
- Add 1 tsp. caraway seed, 1/2 small chopped carrot, 1/2 of 1 chopped celery stalk and 1/2 tsp. grated ginger root.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and remove from heat.
- Add 1 tsp. each fresh chopped parsley, fresh cut watercress, dried peppermint and yarrow.
- Cover again and steep an additional 20 minutes or so.
- Strain, sweeten and flavor with a few drops and pinches of honey and cinnamon.
- Drink 3 cups each day on an empty stomach until period commences.
Caraway vs Cumin Seeds
Cumin is considered a close relative of caraway and is used in the same way. Cumin has now gone out of use in European medicine and has been replaced by caraway seeds, though the older herbalists esteemed cumin superior in comforting carminative qualities to caraway.