Black Caraway (Bunium persicum)

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Black cumin seeds Bunium persicum are a similar shape to the familiar cumin, yet their color is darker brown. When crushed they are highly aromatic, almost piney and less earthy. The flavor is similarly pine-like, astringent, and bitter. Black cumin is not to be confused with nigella (kolonji), which is often called black cumin seed.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Tastes like sweet chestnuts. — Root - raw or cooked.; Tastes like sweet chestnuts.; Seed - used as a flavouring, a cumin substitute.

Habitat & North American Range

Gentle exposed mountain slopes in C. Asia. Dry scrubby slopes in the Himalayas. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)