Organic Caraway - Carum carvi

When cumin is mentioned, one inevitably thinks of the spice that comes in the form of small seeds. However, from a botanical perspective, a first confusion arises. <strong>Indeed, behind the term "cumin" actually lie two plants from the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family but of distinct botanical genera: <a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/vegetable-gardens/vegetable-seeds/herb-seeds/cumin-cuminum-cyminum.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cumin</a> in the strict sense is the species <em>Cuminum cyminum</em>, while the <a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/vegetable-gardens/herbs/herbs-a-to-z/organic-caraway-carum-carvi.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cumin of the meadows</a>, also known as caraway, is the species </strong><em><strong>Carum carvi.</strong></em> The two plants resemble each other, as do the seeds. However, they have very different flavours: cumin seeds have a warm taste typical of Eastern cuisine, while caraway seeds are more subtle, sweeter, and more aniseed-like. <strong>The other major distinction between "these two cumins" lies in their natural growing areas</strong>. <strong>Cumin (<em>Cuminum cyminum</em>) grows around the Mediterranean, whereas cumin of the meadows (<em>Carum carvi</em>) is a plant of cold to mountainous regions</strong>. It can be easily found in the cool meadows of the Alps, Vosges, or Jura. Their multiple names also help establish the distinction: cumin is also referred to as "Moroccan Cumin," "Maltese Cumin," while caraway or cumin of the meadows is also known as "Anise of the Vosges," "Hollander Cumin," or "mountain cumin." <strong>Nevertheless, these two aromatic herbaceous plants share some common features, at least in their appearance, both having thread-like foliage</strong>, somewhat resembling that of carrots. Moreover, they are widely known and used since antiquity, both for their unique flavour and their medicinal properties.