Are caraway seeds and fennel seeds the same?
My mom always called the seeds in rye bread caraway. But they are in Italian sausage and a jar labeled fennel seeds.
Are they the same thing?
Best Answer
Fennel and caraway are relatives, but not the same plant. Fennel seeds have a flavor dominated by anise/licorice, where caraway is quite different, being dominated by other flavors. They also have subtle differences in appearance.
Cumin, anise, and dill are other look-alike seeds with very different flavors. Anise and fennel have very similar flavors, and can be substituted for each other. Caraway and dill are likewise similar in flavor. Cumin has a flavor different from any of the above. I am including pictures of fennel, caraway, anise, cumin, and dill seeds so you can see how similar they are, but also how there are subtle differences in shape.
Fennel Seed:
Caraway Seeds:
Anise Seed: It is hard to tell from the picture, but anise seeds are much smaller than fennel.
Cumin Seeds: note, these vary considerably in color
Dill Seeds: (note how much flatter theses are)
Pictures about "Are caraway seeds and fennel seeds the same?"
Quick Answer about "Are caraway seeds and fennel seeds the same?"
Fennel is distinctive and doesn't taste quite like caraway, but it has licorice notes and a similar essence. You can substitute an equal amount of fennel for caraway seeds. Note: Fennel is often used in sausage, so using the seeds may evoke a meaty flavor.Are caraway seeds fennel?
Caraway and fennel seeds can be used interchangeably, but the subtle flavor differences will be detectable. So basically, if you're in a pinch, go for it, but it makes sense to keep a separate jar of each in your pantry.What is another name for caraway seeds?
Caraway, also known as meridian fennel and Persian cumin (Carum carvi), is a biennial plant in the family Apiaceae, native to western Asia, Europe, and North Africa.Is caraway a good substitute for fennel?
Fennel seeds.Dishes that use caraway seeds such as curries and stews will taste just the same when you swap in fennel for caraway. Fennel's strong and noteworthy taste rivals other strong flavors, so it is very noticeable and stands out.What tastes like caraway seeds?
Fennel Seed The best substitutes for caraway seeds are fennel seeds. Fennel has a mild licorice flavor similar to caraway. They are also aromatic and bursting with flavor. Though, most people find the flavor warmer and sweeter than caraway.Are Fennel And Caraway Seeds The Same Thing
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Answer 2
They are related, but not the same plant. Wikipedia also calls Caraway "meridian fennel", which hints as to how related they are.
According to Wikipedia, Caraway is in the Apiaceae family, along with anise, fennel, cumin, licorice-root, and coriander.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Megha Mangal, Vie Studio, Patience Obiri, Anna Shvets