Carum carvi annua

Carum carvi L.

Caraway

Caraway, also known as meridian fennel and Persian cumin, is a biennial plant native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It has finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions growing on 20–30 cm stems. The main flower stem is 30–60 cm tall with small white or pink flowers in compound umbels. Caraway fruits, informally called seeds, are smooth, crescent-shaped, laterally compressed achenes, around 3 mm long, with five pale ridges and a distinctive pleasant smell when crushed.

Details

Order:

Apiales

Family:

Apiaceae

Genus:

Carum

Chemistry:

Caraway seeds contain up to 7.5% volatile oil, mostly D-carvone, and 15% fixed oil with major fatty acids including oleic, linoleic, petroselinic, and palmitic acids. Phytochemicals identified in caraway seed oil include thymol, o-cymene, γ-terpinene, trimethylene dichloride, β-pinene, 2-(1-cyclohexenyl), cyclohexanone, β-phellandrene, 3-carene, α-thujene, and linalool.

Uses:

Caraway is used as a spice in breads, especially rye bread. It is also used in desserts, liquors, casseroles, and other foods. Its leaves can be added to salads, stews, and soups. The root is consumed as a winter root vegetable in some places. Caraway oil is used to produce Kümmel liquor, Scandinavian akvavit, and Icelandic brennivín. It is also infused in various cheeses to add flavor.

Flowering time:

June and July

Sowing time:

Winter in warmer regions, as a summer annual or biennial in temperate climates

Plant height:

20–30 cm (8–12 inches) for stems, 30–60 cm (12–24 inches) for the main flower stem

Flower color:

White or pink

Suitable habitat:

Warm, sunny locations with well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Info

Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.

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