[Kalonji (Hindi); Charnushka (Russia, U.S. Armenian); Cörek otu
(Turkish); Siyah Daneh (Persian); Kalo Jeera, Kalojira, Black Cumin
(Bengali only, otherwise improper), Black Caraway (improper);
Onion Seed (improper); Nigella sativa]
This member of the mostly inedible Ranunculales order is native to South and Southwest Asia. The seeds, which look a bit like the totally unrelated onion seeds, are used as a spice in India, the Middle East, Near East, Anatolia, Caucasus, Greece and Egypt. They have a strong, aromatic and slightly bitter taste.
More on Spices.
Nigella seeds are often mixed into Armenian string cheese, scattered on the outside of Nabulsi cheese, and used on some Jewish baked goods. In India, Nigella (Kalonji) is used as a regular spice in many curries and other dishes. Nigella is held to have strong medicinal properties for a number of illnesses. The photo specimens were typically 0.104 inch long and 0.55 inch across.
rn_nigelaz 181216 - www.clovegarden.com