Black cumin can refer to the seeds of either of two quite different plants, both of which are used as spices:
* ''
Elwendia persica
''Elwendia persica'' is a plant species in the family Apiaceae. It is related to cumin (''Cuminum cyminum'') and sometimes called black cumin, blackseed,, black caraway, and has a smoky, earthy taste. It is often confused with ''Nigella sativa'' ...
'', black cumin is considered similar to
caraway
Caraway, also known as meridian fennel and Persian cumin (''Carum carvi''), is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa.
Etymology
The etymology of "caraway" is unclear. Caraway has been ...
, but they are two distinctly different plants. The seeds differ dramatically in shape, color and size. Caraway seeds appear brown in color, while Black Cumin is mostly black with a slight curve shape. This seed may be used in rice water to bring a slight flavor to the rice.
* ''
Nigella sativa
''Nigella sativa'' (black caraway, also known as black cumin, nigella, kalonji or siyahdaneh) is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to eastern Europe (Bulgaria and Romania) and Western Asia (Cyprus, Turkey, Iran and Ir ...
'', black caraway is also called kalonji or nigella, and more common in the Far East, Mideast, Bangladesh, India and Africa. Nigella sati a is multi-shaped seed, pure dark black, with no other visible colors on it. This seed is used at the beginning of Indian Subcontinent cuisine to flavor the oil, onions, other spices, meats and vegetables.
{{Plant common name