Caraway
Caraway Seed, also known as the Persian cumin, is a biennial plant native to Western Asia and Europe.
The plant is somewhat similar to a carrot plant and grows in a well-drained soil.
Botanical Name: Carum Carvi
Family Name: Apiaceae
Parts Used: Fruit, Seeds
Habitat: Europe and Western Asia
It is difficult to ascertain the exact origin of Caraway seed.
In modern times however it is chiefly cultivated in Finland, the Netherlands, Eastern Europe, Germany, Morocco, parts of Scandinavia, Canada, the United States, Egypt.
Holland leads in Caraway production.
The spice consists of essential oil whose aroma is determined by carvone and limonene.
The other constituents of caraway seed are carveol, dihydrocarveol, a- and ß-pinene, sabinene etc.
Caraway is a grown in a region having good sun shine and well drained soil.
The soil should contain good quantity of humus or organic matter.
Seed can be sown either in autumns or in spring. Caraway is seeded directly.
If seed is own it should be sown about half inch deep.
Seedlings should be planted six to eight inches apart.
There should be space between the rows.
The seeds take time to germinate hence weed control is an important aspect that should be kept in mind.
In the second season, seed is produced due to which caraway should be intercropped with annuals such as beans or peas or grown with a cover crop.
Product’s Season is April- May.
Final Product: seeds