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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Caraway
| status =
secure
| image = Koeh-172.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Apiales]]
| familia = [[Apiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Carum]]''
| species = '''''C. carvi'''''
| binomial = ''Carum carvi''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''Caraway''' or '''Persian cumin''' ''(Carum carvi)'' is a [[Biennial plant|biennial]] [[plant]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Apiaceae]], native to [[Europe]] and western [[Asia]].
The plant is similar in appearance to a [[carrot]] plant, with finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions, growing on 20–30 cm stems. The main [[flower]] stem is 40–60 cm tall, with small white or pink flowers in [[umbel]]s. Caraway [[fruit]]s, (erroneously called [[seed]]s) are [[crescent]]-shaped [[achene]]s, around 2 mm long, with five pale ridges.
The plant prefers warm, sunny locations and well-drained [[soil]].
===Cultivation and uses===
[[Image:Carawayseeds.JPG|left|thumb|Caraway fruits]]
The [[fruit]]s, usually used whole, have a pungent, [[anise]]-like flavor and aroma that come from essential oils, mostly [[carvone]] and [[limonene]]. They are used as a [[spice]] in [[bread]]s especially [[rye bread]].
Caraway is also used in [[liquor]]s, [[casserole]]s, and other foods, especially in [[Central Europe]]an and [[Scandinavia]]n cuisine, for instance [[sauerkraut]]. It is also used to add flavor to [[cheese]]s such as [[havarti]]. [[Akvavit]] and several [[liqueur]]s are also made with caraway, and a [[tisane]] made from the seeds is good for [[colic]], loss of appetite, digestive disorders and to dispel worms. Caraway seed oil is also used as a fragrance component in [[soap]]s, [[lotion]]s, and [[perfume]]s.
The [[root]]s may be cooked as a [[root vegetable]] like [[parsnip]]s or carrots.
In one of the [[short stories]] in [[Dubliners]] by [[James Joyce]], a character eats caraway seeds to mask the [[Alcoholic beverage |alcohol]] on his breath.
==Similar herbs==
[[Caraway thyme|Caraway Thyme]] has a strong caraway scent and is sometimes used as a substitute for real caraway in recipes.
== External links ==
*[http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Caru_car.html Caraway] — Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages.
{{Herbs & spices}}
{{Commons|Carum carvi}}
[[Category:Apiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Spices]]
[[Category:Root vegetables]]
[[Category:Arabic words and phrases]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Caraway
| status =
secure
| image = Koeh-172.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Apiales]]
| familia = [[Apiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Carum]]''
| species = '''''C. carvi'''''
| binomial = ''Carum carvi''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''Caraway''' or '''Persian cumin''' ''(Carum carvi)'' is a [[Biennial plant|biennial]] [[plant]] in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Apiaceae]], native to [[Europe]] and western [[Asia]].
The plant is similar in appearance to a [[carrot]] plant, with finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions, growing on 20–30 cm stems. The main [[flower]] stem is 40–60 cm tall, with small white or pink flowers in [[umbel]]s. Caraway [[fruit]]s, (erroneously called [[seed]]s) are [[crescent]]-shaped [[achene]]s, around 2 mm long, with five pale ridges.
The plant prefers warm, sunny locations and well-drained [[soil]].
===Cultivation and uses===
[[Image:Carawayseeds.JPG|left|thumb|Caraway fruits]]
The [[fruit]]s, usually used whole, have a pungent, [[anise]]-like flavor and aroma that come from essential oils, mostly [[carvone]] and [[limonene]]. They are used as a [[spice]] in [[bread]]s especially [[rye bread]].
Caraway is also used in [[liquor]]s, [[casserole]]s, and other foods, especially in [[Central Europe]]an and [[Scandinavia]]n cuisine, for instance [[sauerkraut]]. It is also used to add flavor to [[cheese]]s such as [[havarti]]. [[Akvavit]] and several [[liqueur]]s are also made with caraway, and a [[tisane]] made from the seeds is good for [[colic]], loss of appetite, digestive disorders and to dispel worms. Caraway seed oil is also used as a fragrance component in [[soap]]s, [[lotion]]s, and [[perfume]]s.
The [[root]]s may be cooked as a [[root vegetable]] like [[parsnip]]s or carrots.
In one of the [[short stories]] in [[Dubliners]] by [[James Joyce]], a character eats caraway seeds to mask the [[Alcoholic beverage |alcohol]] on his breath.
==Similar herbs==
[[Caraway thyme|Caraway Thyme]] has a strong caraway scent and is sometimes used as a substitute for real caraway in recipes.
== External links ==
*[http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Caru_car.html Caraway] — Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages.
{{Herbs & spices}}
{{Commons|Carum carvi}}
[[Category:Apiaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Spices]]
[[Category:Root vegetables]]
[[Category:Arabic words and phrases]]
