Caraway is one of my favorite additions to all sorts of foods. It's pungent flavor and perfume can bring a surprising depth to anything from meat dishes to baked goods. Though the spice resembles cumin, be aware that the taste is very different.
What Is Caraway?
A flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, caraway is a native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Its close relatives are carrots, fennel, and cumin. You'll note that I avoided calling the spice caraway seed. That's because what we commonly refer to as "caraway seed" is actually the fruit of the plant. Though we most often use the tiny fruit, the leaves and roots are also edible, and much used in many cuisines around the world.
What Does Caraway Taste Like?
Caraway has a very pungent aroma and taste. The flavor of anise or licorice is the dominant one, with hints of citrus and pepper contributing brightness and warmth. There is also a bittersweet quality that somewhat mitigates the licorice note, and keeps it from overpowering all of the other flavors.
What Is Caraway Used For?
In the U.S., we most commonly associate caraway with rye (or dark rye) breads. The rest of the world uses caraway in myriad applications. Desserts, baked goods, and liquors (such as Aquavit) are at the top of the list. Sauerkraut, harissa, stews, casseroles, and as a flavoring for beef and pork come next. Long simmering dishes can often benefit from the backbone a bit of caraway contributes.The root is often treated as other root vegetables (it's similar to parsnips), and the leaves can be used as an herb in soups, salads, and stews. The Middle East boasts many traditional cakes and pastries that count caraway as a major ingredient. Caraway is also, somewhat surprisingly, used in many perfumes, soaps, and lotions.
Where to Buy Caraway
Caraway "seeds" are easy to find in any grocery store, spice shop, and online. But if you want to try using the leaves and the roots, you'll need to grow your own. Even at farmer's markets, I have never seen the leaves or roots for sale. However, it is an easy plant to grow, even in cooler climates — if you take care to cover the plants during the coldest months.
What Can I Substitute for Caraway?
Though, as with most spices, there is no perfect substitute for caraway, a number of other spices can give you a fairly close approximation. Not surprisingly, anise seeds, fennel seeds, and star anise will get you moving in the right (licorice-like) direction. Dill and coriander seeds will give you the brightness of caraway, but without any of the strong licorice notes the others bring. So, you might consider combining some or all of the above to create a blend that you like.
I prepare a lot of vegetables for meals. And I have found, over the years, there are a few spices that, without masking the flavor of the vegetables, seem to add to and elevate them. Caraway is the one that I reach for most frequently. I find the flavor quite addictive; though I'm not a big fan of licorice, caraway brings so much flavor to the party beyond licorice, it has become an almost daily element of my cooking. As you experiment with caraway, be aware that a little goes a long way — but that little bit will surprise and delight you.
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FAQs
Caraway seeds are a versatile spice that can do wonders for your recipes. They pair well with other common spices, such as cumin, coriander, and mustard seeds. Although commonly used in rye bread, caraway seeds can also be found in various meat dishes, stews, pickles, and cheeses.
What does caraway taste like? ›
Caraway has a very pungent aroma and taste. The flavor of anise or licorice is the dominant one, with hints of citrus and pepper contributing brightness and warmth. There is also a bittersweet quality that somewhat mitigates the licorice note, and keeps it from overpowering all of the other flavors.
What are the benefits of taking caraway? ›
Caraway fruits are used for flavoring of rye bread and its infusion is a remedy for colic and digestive disorders, and to fight worms [3]. Caraway fruits possess stimulant, expectorant and antispasmodic effects and is used for stomach aches, constipation, and nausea.
How to use caraway? ›
Ways to use caraway seeds include:
- Add caraway seeds to potato salad or coleslaw.
- Add a pinch to any tomato-based sauce or soup.
- Sprinkle over roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes.
- Mix into a cheese dip.
- Sprinkle onto baked apples to enhance the flavor.
- Add to shortbread cookies or Irish soda bread cookies.
Caraway should be used in small amounts and too much of it in the food can result in gastrointestinal disorders and stomach ulcers. Kidney stones are another common side-effect of the overconsumption of caraway seeds. You may also gain weight due to overconsumption of caraway seeds as it has high fibre content.
What's so special about caraway? ›
Traditional non-stick kitchenware (over 95%!) is made with chemicals that can leach into your food and home. At Caraway, we make 100% Non-Toxic cookware and bakeware, free of harmful chemicals like lead, cadmium, PTFE (aka Teflon®), and PFOA. Now that's something to celebrate.
Are cumin and caraway the same? ›
Caraway and cumin seeds look very similar, though cumin seeds are lighter in color and less curved. However, by taste, the two spices differ considerably: cumin has a warm, earthy, slightly pungent flavor, whereas caraway's licorice and citrus notes are quite distinctive.
Does caraway make you sleepy? ›
Caraway extract might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking caraway with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Can you eat too much caraway? ›
Potential Risks of Caraway
As a result, people with diabetes should be cautious when consuming caraway oil, caraway extract, or other large quantities of caraway. This is because caraway seeds in large amounts may lower blood sugar levels too far, leading to hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood sugar levels).
Is caraway anti inflammatory? ›
Caraway is a spice with many culinary and medicinal applications. It has minerals and plant compounds that may help with weight loss, relieve inflammation, and promote digestive health. Caraway is a unique spice long used in cooking and herbal medicine ( 1 ).
What temperatures can Caraway's Food Storage be stored in? Our Food Storage is microwave, oven, refrigerator, and freezer safe! Please note, you should always remove your lid before placing your storage container in the oven or microwave.
Is caraway the same as fennel? ›
Fennel seeds are the closest alternative to caraway seeds and make an excellent substitution because they're both relatives of the carrot family, although they aren't the same plant. Even though these two spices don't have quite the same flavor, they have a similar essence, and light licorice notes.
Can you fry food in Caraway pans? ›
Our wonderful non-stick Fry Pan is made from non-toxic ceramic and free of any harmful chemicals, including lead, cadmium, PTFE, PFOA, and other PFAs. We achieve this feat by using a one-of-a-kind ceramic coating that allows for easy clean-up and flawless heat distribution.
Is it safe to eat raw caraway seeds? ›
Caraway is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. Caraway is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts for up to 8 weeks. Caraway oil can cause belching, heartburn, and nausea when used with peppermint oil.
Is caraway safe to eat? ›
In fact, we take pride in our 100% non-toxic cookware. All of our products are free of PTFE, PFAS, and PFOA, as well as lead, cadmium, and toxic metals. This ensures a healthy cooking experience in more ways than one.
Is caraway a laxative? ›
In Ayurveda, specifically, it is mostly used in the form of oil, fruit and seeds for its medicinal and healing properties. Caraway seeds are rich in dietary fiber, essential to maintain digestive health, and acts a laxative to prevent constipation. The fiber adds bulk to the diet and improves bowel movement in the gut.
What is caraway seed similar to? ›
Fennel Seeds: have a subtle licorice flavor similar to caraway seeds. Fennel seeds originated in the Mediterranean and are often used in Spanish, Italian, and Middle Eastern recipes. Cumin Seeds: With their warm and earthy taste, cumin seeds make an excellent substitute for caraway seeds.
Does caraway taste like cilantro? ›
Caraway is mistakenly referred to as a seed; however, it's actually the brown, dried fruit of the caraway plant, which is scientifically known as Carum carvi L. And, although it may look like cumin seeds, its subtle hints of lemon and pepper make it a good alternative to cilantro.
What foods use caraway? ›
Caraway seeds are widely used in Central and Eastern Europe to flavour rye breads, biscuits, cakes, stews, meat dishes, cheeses, sauerkraut and pickles; they are also often combined with potatoes and apples.
