Although it is referred to as the caraway seed, it’s actually a dried fruit. Grown largely in Europe, Finland is the single biggest global grower with Canada, The Netherlands, Egypt and other central European countries major growers. Syria and Afghanistan are also major producers and caraway seeds are also native to northern Africa and western Asia.
Caraway is a small herb that produces a fruit called the caraway seed which is brown in color and about 3mm – 6mm long. When dried, caraway is used in a variety of cooked dishes, baked goods and also in medicines, as an oil and as part of liqueurs like Kummel. Caraway has a strong, sharp, nutty bittersweet taste and due its essential oils, is very suitable for a wide range of medicinal and health uses, too.
As such its broad flavor has hints of anise and fennel which are both considered substitutes as are nigella seed, dill seed and star anise.
Caraway Seed Background
While the fruit of the caraway (what we call the caraway seed) is generally used for cooking and drinks, the leaves of the caraway plant may also be used in salads, soups and stews and the root is also consumed in some cultures as a winter root vegetable. When speaking of substitutes, we’re specifically talking about the caraway seed being substituted.
Caraway is also referred to in different parts of the world with names that incorporate the use of both fennel and cumin. So you will often hear both those spices as being substitutes (among others) for caraway due to their similar properties and taste as we’ll see below.
Caraway Substitutes
Here are common substitutes you may use for caraway seeds.
Anise is often mentioned in the same breath as cumin as its from the carrot family as cumin is, too. As such anise seeds are often used as substitutes for caraway seeds given that both spices have hints of licorice in them. You typically substitute 1 tsp of anise for 1 tsp of caraway. You might start with less however and work your way up as anise is quite strong.
Cumin: Caraway and cumin are both part of the celery family and are similar in taste. Cumin is usually ground and used as a spice in this form, commonly in Indian cuisine. In this regard, it can be used in place of ground caraway. You typically substitute 1 tsp of cumin for 1 tsp of caraway.
Fennel seeds are another good substitute for caraway given its hint of licorice along with anise. Fresh fennel might be used in salads and soups whereas fennel seeds (Saunf) is very popular in many Indian dishes like Masala, too. Fennel is known as being slightly sweeter than caraway.
Nigella seeds: Used as a seed in rye bread, flatbreads and naan or ground up and used as a spice rub, in Indian curries and lentil dishes, the pungent and aromatic nigella seeds also have the hint of licorice than other caraway substitutes feature. Nigella seeds are often roasted first before being used hence the popularity in the baked breads as referred to above.
Dill seeds: Dill seeds have flavoring similar to anise and parsley and thus is another caraway substitute. While often associated with dill pickles, dill seeds are also a popular substitute for caraway and you often also see dishes that combine both dill and caraway together. You typically substitute 1 tsp of dill seeds for 1 tsp of caraway.
Star anise: Is in the shape of a small brown star hence the name. Star anise has the same licorice flavor as with above-mentioned caraway substitutes. While star anise can be used in whole form for cookies, jams and pickles it can also be ground up and despite its sweet flavor, is a popular choice for savory dishes with meats, stews, and broths.
Of course, you might also need to substitute some of the above-mentioned ground spices with ground caraway. In this instance, double check the recipe because in some cases like cumin for example, you will typically use half the amount of ground caraway that you would have used for the ground cumin.
Caraway Seeds And Cooking
Growing up with an Austrian father who liked food and cooking, I recall having sauerkraut with bits of caraway seeds in it along with European-style rye breads with caraway seeds in the house. And my mum would use caraway seeds in dishes like pork roasts and soups.
Caraway seeds are very versatile and can be added to many other dishes including potatoes, sweet potatoes, stew, pork chops and other meat dishes.
In the Middle East, caraway seeds are used in desserts like meghli pudding and in sweet scones among other desserts. Syria and Afghanistan are both large producers of caraway seeds, too.
And caraway seeds are very important in many Indian foods. Referred to locally as Shahi Jeera, it is used in many curries and in tandoori dishes.
So as you can see, caraway seeds are a versatile cooking spice/seed/fruit given that it can be used in a variety of foods and dishes both savory and sweet.
Caraway Seeds and Drinks
Some people use crushed caraway seeds in boiling water to make tea. Steeping can take up to 20 minutes and the tea is then strained. Proponents suggest that caraway tea may aid digestion and relieve gas or menstrual cramps.
Caraway seeds are also used in clear liqueurs like Kümmel (also spelled Kummel) along with two of its popular substitutes, cumin and fennel. The Dutch liqueur is often said to taste like liquid rye bread as a result. You can mix Kümmel with soda or bourbon and other drinks to make a nice mixer.
Akvavit (or aquavit) is a distilled European spirit that must either use caraway seed or dill seed or both as a distillate. While also using potatoes and grains, its dominant flavor must come from caraway and/or dill seed.
Caraway Seeds Health Benefits
Caraway seeds are high in antioxidants like limonene and carvone and also contain fiber and minerals including iron, magnesium, copper, and calcium. They are low in calories and fat.
As it’s high in essential oils, caraway seeds are often crushed and turned into skincare products like ointments, creams and oils.
Health benefits that caraway seeds are purported to offer include:
- Reduction in inflammation with antioxidant properties.
- May encourage improved digestion while promoting healthy gut bacteria.
- Could promote weight loss through a reduction in both calories and intake of carbohydrates.
Learn more about caraway seed health benefits and research by clicking here.