Many housewives believe that zira and caraway seeds are the same thing. Is this really so? In this article we will study this issue in detail: we will tell you what spices such as zira and caraway seeds are, how they differ (photos of each spice will be presented below) and where they are used.
Queen of Oriental Spices
Zira is a plant belonging to the small genus Cmin of the umbrella family. Quite often, this spice is called Roman caraway, or cumin. According to many, zira and caraway seeds are the same thing, but this is far from the case. They are indeed very similar in appearance, but the taste of these spices is completely different. Central Asia is considered the birthplace of zira. As a spice, it has long been used in ancient India, Greece, Rome, and also the countries of the Middle East. Greeks and Romans used cumin for treatment - this is mentioned in the works of Hippocrates, Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides.
There are several types of zira with different tastes and aromas. The most common are Persian and Kirman cumin. Zira has a sharp taste and bright aroma with nutty notes.
Description of caraway seeds
One of the oldest plants found in pile constructions of the Stone Age is cumin. In our country, this plant is found in meadows, along roadways, along the edges, almost anywhere. This spicy plant belongs to the celery family. In the first year of life, a fleshy, weakly branched root crop and rosette of cirrus leaves are formed, in the second year, a branchy stem is thrown, the height of which can reach 90 centimeters. Caraway blossoms in July. The fruits are elongated two-seeded. Seeds are small, ribbed. Young leaves contain about 45% ascorbic acid, and root vegetables accumulate sugar.
In the Caucasus, the Balkan Peninsula, the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, black cumin grows. This spice is often perceived as a zira. What is the difference between Eastern cumin and black cumin, we will try to find out. Both spices have a pungent smell and a bitter taste, but the taste characteristics differ markedly, which is why they are used differently in cooking. Not a single eastern pilaf is complete without the addition of zira; in addition, it is often present in meat dishes, sausages and cheeses. Black cumin is mainly used as a spice in the preparation of confectionery, drinks and to add flavor to pickles.
Zira and caraway seeds: how do they differ in chemical composition
Cumin seeds contain about 20% fatty oil, from 2.5 to 4% of essential oils (which contain cumin aldehyde, kimol, paracymol, kimin and carvone), 10-15% proteins, not more than 16% gum, and flavonoids, cumin alcohol, alpha and beta pinins, tannins, B vitamins, dipentene, beta-fellandren, ascorbic acid, perilaldehyde, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other minerals.
The composition of caraway seeds includes flavonoids, fatty and essential oils, protein compounds, coumarins, minerals and tannins. The essential oil contains limonene, carvone and carvacrol (it is thanks to this substance that a special aroma appears). A large amount of ascorbic acid accumulates in the roots of caraway seeds.
Useful properties of spices
As you can see in the photo, zira and caraway seeds are very similar in appearance. What is the difference between these spices? By properties. Regular consumption of cumin helps in the fight against insomnia, amnesia, nervous exhaustion, migraine, colic in the stomach, dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, bronchitis, cholelithiasis and kidney stones, cough. The benefits of zira do not end there. This oriental spice normalizes digestion, prevents thrombosis, protects the body against heart attacks, improves the cardiovascular system, and improves vision and brain activity.
Zira has a tonic, diuretic and antiseptic effect, enhances sex drive, removes toxins from the body. Cumin - a lifesaver in the first months of pregnancy: relieves nausea and prevents bloating. Pediatricians use Zira to treat flatulence for children, and the Greeks prepare herbal tea for children.
Caraway seeds have also found widespread use in medicine (used to treat headaches, pneumonia, and bronchitis). Spice is considered a good antiseptic. It has caraway and antihelminthic properties. Essential oil helps to improve digestion, suppress fermentation processes, normalize bile secretion, relax smooth muscles, in addition, it has a sedative effect. Spice seeds are recommended for use in flatulence, urinary tract pathology, constipation and intestinal atony.
Having familiarized yourself with the useful properties of such popular spices as zira and caraway seeds (which we already found out the difference between similarly similar plants), you can not only give the dishes an unusual aroma, but also improve your health.
Contraindications
But is everyone allowed to eat such useful seasonings as zira and caraway seeds? What is the difference between them, we have already figured out. Let's talk about when it is recommended to abandon the use of these spices. So, the use of cumin is contraindicated in gastritis with high acidity, duodenal ulcer and stomach.
People with a weak heart should refuse to eat meat and fish dishes seasoned with caraway seeds, as the likelihood of a heart attack increases. Spice is not recommended with increased acidity of the digestive juice produced by the stomach, and with anemia. Caraway seeds are contraindicated in thrombophlebitis and thrombosis. Seeds consumed in large quantities can lead to rejection of transplanted organs.
Application
Caraway seeds are used to produce essential oils, young shoots are added to salads, soups and pastes. Today it is one of the most popular spices that are used for flavoring confectionery, alcoholic beverages, marinades, sauces and canned goods. In cosmetology and medicine, essential oil has been used.
Zira seeds in cooking can be used both whole and ground. In India, cumin is added to vegetable dishes, in Greece, Simir sausages are cooked with this seasoning, in Uzbekistan - pilaf, various soups, cold snacks, in Kyrgyzstan - marinades and sauces, in Armenia - dried casserole sajuk.
After reading this material, novice cooks can safely answer the questions: “What is zira and caraway seeds for? What is the difference between these spices and what are their beneficial properties? ”