How do caraway and ajwain differ in taste and use?
These two seed spices seem confusingly similar. I have never used ajwain before. A new recipe I intend to try out calls for jowan (carom seeds) which, according to Google and Wikipedia, are also called ajwain. The pictures I found online of ajwain resemble fennel and caraway seeds but seem smaller than either. Since there are two different Wiki pages for caraway and ajwain, I was certain they were different things.
Today I saw a pack of ajwain at an Indian grocery store but "(caraway)" was also printed on the packaging. As per Wikipedia, ajwain is also called ajowan caraway. But how different are they?
- How are they different in taste and actual use?
- If I don't have ajwain what'd be a good substitute?
Best Answer
You are right about Ajwain and Caraway seeds, they are very different when it comes to taste; although both are considered as good digestives and add a distinct flavor to the dish.
Coming to your two questions @Neil hinted about how they taste. As its hard to describe how exactly they taste, I will mention how I used them.
I have used Ajwain when making concotions or when I am making chilli dumplings (mirchi bajji in regional language) with gram flour as they aid digestion of flour.
Caraway, I usually put a pinch of these when cooking rice as its gives nice aroma to the final dish you make, example tomato rice(rice mixed with some veggies and other Indian spices), meat pilaf's etc.
Although I cannot think of any real substitute to Ajwain, you can try adding some cumin seeds which is somewhat close. Hope this helps, happy cooking.
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Does ajwain taste like caraway?
Ajwain is a plant in the family apiaceae, and its seed, which is used (especially in south Asian cooking) for its thyme-like flavor while caraway is a biennial plant, native to Europe and Asia, mainly grown for its seed to be used as a culinary spice.Can I use caraway instead of ajwain?
Although caraway is in the same family (umbelliferae) as cumin, dill, ajwain, coriander, it is not substitute for any of them.Is ajwain and caraway seeds same?
Yes, ajwain is an annual plant and belongs to the same family as caraway and oriental cumin \u2013 namely the Umbelliferae.What does caraway seed taste like?
The caraway seed derives its culinary and medicinal properties from its distinct characteristics. Its flavor has a nutty, bittersweet sharpness with a hint of citrus, pepper, and anise (mild licorice). The caraway seed's high concentration of natural essential oils gives the spice its unique flavor profile.अजवायन के फायदे | Health and Beauty Benefits of Ajwain | Carom Seeds | Ms Pinky Madaan
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Answer 2
Ajwain is a plant in the family apiaceae, and its seed, which is used (especially in south Asian cooking) for its thyme-like flavor while caraway is a biennial plant, native to Europe and Asia, mainly grown for its seed to be used as a culinary spice.
Ajwain is used more for saviory dishes for it's thyme like qualities, while caraway is more used in baked goods similar to how aniseed is used.
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