Nigella sativa (commonly known as black seed, black cumin, kalonji, or habbat al-barakah) is a small annual flowering plant in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to South and Southwest Asia, North Africa, and parts of Southern Europe.
Botanical Description
Plant Size:
Grows about 20 to 60 cm (8 to 24 inches) tall with a stiff, branched stem and finely divided, grayish-green leaves.
Plant Size:
Grows about 20 to 60 cm (8 to 24 inches) tall with a stiff, branched stem and finely divided, grayish-green leaves.
Flowers:
- Features delicate, pale blue or white flowers with 5 petals
Seeds:
- Produces a large, inflated seed capsule containing small, three-cornered, rough black seeds that turn dark upon air exposure.
Culinary Uses
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Flavor Profile:
Pasty, aromatic, peppery, and slightly bitter with notes reminiscent of nutmeg or oregano. - Common Dishes:
Used as a spice in Indian, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines. It is a key ingredient in panch phoron
- (Bengali five-spice blend), scattered over flatbreads like naan or nân-e barbari, and baked into cheeses or seed pastes.
- Regulatory Status:
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies Nigella sativa as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)for use as a spice or natural flavoring.
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