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On Nov 15, 2003, PurplePansies from Deal, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote:
The seed's flavor is hard to describe DELICIOUS! Slightly nutty and slightly "piney" with other carroty flavors.... Has hints of sesame.... the best use for these seeds is in breads ... used like poppy or sesame.... and in cheeses used like caraway. Best in savory dishes :)
Seedling id: slender, spoon shaped. Seedlings true leaves are ferny like carrots.
Plants turn out to be fairly "silly" looking. :). The foliage is attractive enough.... a feather divided foliage like other nigella. But the flowers are very unshowy, silly green little things. Never mind though because I grew it for the seeds which are delicious! :)
Easy to grow. Grow similarly as you would other nigella. Full sun etc. It is said to prefer cooler temps but mine did fine in hot ones. Dislikes "wet" soil so put in a well drained spot. :)
Speaking from a cook's point of view, it's amazing how this spice got so many names attached to it (the strangest being "Love in a Mist" - what were they drinking when they thought THAT up?) but all in all a very pleasant-tasting spice.
Used in small quantities in the Middle East as a garnish for pastry, and lately in cheeses as well. Since I bought quite a lot for cooking purpouses, I put some in the ground, but to no avail. (Maybe seed sold as a spice are too old or even sterilized.)
As for the taste, I read many descriptions, and all of them were wrong. It's not just a matter of different people have different tastes, it's a matter of people are not accurate enough when it comes to taste. The taste is NOT like cumin or anise or nutmeg. It DOES resemble onion in a strange and pleasant way. Its aromatic oils evaporate quickly, so don't expect any smells, only taste. I recommend using it on baked bread or buns and onion pies.
On Jan 9, 2003, pebble from Bodrum
(Turkey) (Zone 10a) wrote:
The edible seed called "Black Caraway" and "Black Cumin" in Europe is often called "Love in a Mist" in the U.S. Also sometimes called "Nutmeg Flower", and was known as Corriander by the Romans.
The seeds are tiny ( 1-2 mm long), black, 3 sided and look a bit like pieces of flint under a microscope. They have a strong, spicy, peppery taste.
2 vendors have this plant for sale.
