Herb. No. 139 · Ranunculaceae
Eastern Mediterranean and West Asian annual. Kalonji of South Asian kitchens.
Native · Mediterranean · West Asia
Native Also grown
LegalGentleplant
Nigella
Nigella sativa
Kalonji — the small black seed on naan, a peppery-oregano spice with a long West Asian kitchen record.
Nigella sativa is the seed of a Mediterranean and West Asian annual, not the ornamental N. damascena. Indian and Middle Eastern kitchens know it as kalonji. Traditional use is as a digestive pungent and a food-level ‘blessed seed.’ Culinary pinches are the path. Oil capsules are a supplement aisle.
Flavor
Oregano, pepper, onion-seed. A dry toast wakes it.
Parts used
Ripe seed
Helpful
- Easy from seed
- A true spice
Cautions
- Wrong cousin in the flower bed
- Oil is not a tea