Nigella Seeds

Name: Nigella seeds (Nigella sativa), also called kalonji, black seed, black caraway, charnushka or, mistakenly, black cumin. They are small, black, angular seeds with a peppery, slightly bitter, oregano-like flavour, and are not related to cumin or to onions, although they are sometimes called onion seeds.

Description

Nigella is native to south-western Asia and the Mediterranean and has been used in food and medicine for thousands of years, with seeds reported in ancient Egyptian sites. In Islamic tradition, the black seed is highly valued, and it features in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine too.

Nigella seeds are a key ingredient in Indian, Bengali, Middle Eastern and Turkish cooking. They scatter on naan, flatbreads, Turkish çörek pastries and bagels, and are one of the five spices in the Bengali blend panch phoron, as well as being used in pickles and curries.

Main nutrition value

Nigella seeds provide fibre, iron, calcium and small amounts of other minerals, plus aromatic oils such as thymoquinone, which is studied for possible health effects.

How best to be consumed

Nigella seeds are used in small amounts as a seasoning.

1. Sprinkle over naan, flatbreads, bread and savoury pastries before baking.
2. Temper in hot oil at the start of cooking vegetable curries, dals and pickles.
3. Add to panch phoron, spice blends and marinades.
4. Toast lightly to bring out the flavour.
5. Use in small amounts, since the flavour is strong and slightly bitter.

Overconsumption could cause…

Nigella seeds are safe in cooking amounts, and the main points are for medicinal and supplement use.

1. Skin reactions in some people from the oil, or allergic reactions in rare cases.
2. Possible low blood pressure or low blood sugar in large amounts, so check with a doctor if on related medicines.
3. Not advised in large medicinal amounts during pregnancy, according to caution in traditional advice.
4. Stomach upset from large amounts.

GroupsSeeds

Related foodsBasil SeedsBlack Sesame SeedsCaraway SeedsChia SeedsCumin SeedsFennel Seeds

Wikipedia — Nigella sativa, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigella_sativa