Caraway
is indigenous to all parts of Europe and may be native to parts
of Asia, India, and North Africa. Its properties were recognized
by the ancient Egyptians and early Greeks and Romans. Popular
in the Middle Ages and in Shakespeare's day, it was said to prevent
lovers from straying and was a favorite ingredient in love potions.
Caraway seed cake is a tradition in England.
Description:
The plant has hollow, furrowed,
branched stems and a long tap root. The small white or yellow
flowers have compound umbels with rays of equal length. The finely
cut, bi- or tripinnate leaves are about 6 to 10 inches long. The
upper leaves are on a sheathlike petiole. The dark brown fruit
is oblong and flattened with two seeds each and five pale ridges.
Plant
type and Height and width:
Biennial; hardiness zones 3 to 4. Height 24 to
36 inches; width 8 inches.
Light
and soil:
Full sun to light shade; light, dry soil with a pH of 6.4.
Pests
and disease:
None noted.
Cultivation:
Sow seeds in spring or in autumn if the climate is mild. Plant
in a sunny, sheltered site in shallow drills about 8 inches apart.
When the seedlings are 3 inches high, thin to 6 inches apart.
Seedlings do not transplant well.
Propagation
method:
Seeds or cuttings.
Harvesting:
Harvest the grayish brown seeds when they are mature, about
one month after flowering. Dry them on paper towel or plates in
a shady area. Expose seeds to the sun, allowing them to completely
dry out. Store in an airtight container when the seeds fall from
the shriveled flower heads. Sieve to remove any unwanted pieces
of plant. The roots should be harvested when young for culinary
use.
Herbal
uses:
Culinary and medicinal, the seeds are used to flavor breads,
cakes, biscuits, boiled or baked onions, potato dishes, baked
fruit, cream cheese, soups, and stews. They also may be sprinkled
into the pot when steaming turnips, beet roots, parsnips, carrots,
cabbage, and cauliflower. The leaves are used in salads, soups,
and stews and with spinach and zucchini. The roots can be boiled
and eaten like parsnips with melted butter or white sauce. The
plant can be grown indoors in a sunny place. Caraway is said to
have some medicinal qualities.
Bloom
time and color:
May to June; white or yellow.
Insider's
secret
Caraway and fennel hinder each other's growth and should
not be planted together. Caraway improves heavy soils by loosening
the soil.
