Nigella, Black seed
A Mediterranean climate plant. It is a native of Syria. It prefers rich moist well drained soils. It needs an open sunny position. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.
Also known as:
Black Cumin, Charnushka, Cheeregum, Corekotu, Cuminella, Cumino, Curekot, Devil-in-a-bush, Fennel flower, Habet Al-Barakeh, Jeelakaira, Jeera, Jeraka, Jintan hitam, Jintan puteh, Jinten, Jira, Kala jeera, Kalajira, Kalijira, Kalonji-jiram, Kalonji, Kammun, Karejirage, Karunchiragam, Karunjiragam, Kemouyn, Khezha, Kreuzkummel, Love-in-a-mist, Mackovi, Mugrela, Navadna črnika, Nella, Nigela, Niguiella, Roman Coriander, Russian caraway, Safed, Samon-net, Teindaeng, Tikur azmud, Zeera, Zira
Synonyms
- Nigella cretica Miller
Edible Portion
- Seeds, Herb, Spice, Flowers
Where does Nigella grow?
Found in: Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Bulgaria, China, Crete, Cyprus, Czech Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Mali, Mediterranean, Morocco, Myanmar, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, United States, West Africa, Yugoslavia
Notes: There are about 20 Nigella species. It has anticancer properties.
Growing Nigella, Black seed
Cultivation: It is grown from seed.
Edible Uses: The seeds are used as a spice in pickles. It has a peppery taste. They are also used in Turkish bread. They are sprinkled on rolls, flatbreads and cakes, Jewish rye bread, or used as flavouring in curries, pickles and preserved lemons. The flowers are used to flavour foods. CAUTION: It should not be used in large amounts.
Production: The capsules are harvested as they ripen but before they shatter dispersing the seed. These are then dried and threshed to get the seed.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
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