Carum carvi (Caraway) Herb SEEDS

Caraway(Carum carvi) Herb Seeds

This hardy biennial, Carum carvi, or Caraway, is also known as Meridian Fennel or Persian Cumin and is very similar in appearance to a carrot plant, with finely divided, feathery leaves and growing numerous long stems. The main flower stem is 40–60 cm tall, holding a small white umbel of flowers which can look very pretty. Caraway produces seed which are crescent-shaped around 2 mm long and this is what the plant is most known for as these have a strong flavour.

Caraway prefers well drained soil and full sun for best flavour. Caraway will happily self seed if left. It looks best planted in a drift to the plants can support each other. 

Caraway can be inter-cropped with beans or peas. Harvest leaves as needed. Harvest seeds after flower heads have dried, seeds have formed. To dry: Cut stems, tie together, hang upside. Place a container underneath to catch falling seeds.

Growing Instructions

Caraway can be sown direct into prepared seed beds in spring in drill 12cm deep, in rows 30cm(12 in.) apart. or in Autumn under glass Kept at 68°F., germination is in 10-20 days. Or if an ornamental effect is required broadcast sow in drifts. Thin caraway seedlings to 15-20cm(6-8 in.) apart. Plant out after risk of frost has past in Full Sun, water regularly. In the first year plants look like carrots, and will reach reach 20cm(8 in.) tall, they will then send down a deep taproot, and in the second year will have umbels of white flowers appear on 60-90cm (2-3 ft.) stems. 

Herb Usage

Caraway has a multitude of uses, although is probably best known for its use in cooking, especially in caraway seed cake and sauerkraut. The seeds are used to flavour liqueurs, casseroles and stews, especially in Eastern European cooking, and the young leaves can be used in salads they have a flavour somewhere between dill and parsley, while the roots can be boiled as a vegetable.

Buy Caraway Seeds Online

Our Caraway seeds are generally available to buy online all-year round.