Many people think that zira and caraway seeds are one and the same seasoning, since the seeds of these plants are very similar in appearance. In fact, these are completely different plants, although they belong to the same family. How they differ, and where they are used, we will tell further.

Features and biological description

To begin with, we offer to study the biological characteristics of each of the plants, what substances they contain, and also talk about the beneficial properties of these two spices.

Zira

Zira is a herbaceous plant that belongs to a species of the cumin genus, belonging to the umbelliferous family. Often it is called a zera, Roman (Voloshsky) caraway, Roman cumin, fireplace, cumin and cumin. The culture is one or two years old, with alternating foliage of turquoise-green color. At the ground, leaves are twice ternary dissected into thin linear segments.The stem is erect and branched at the bottom. It is 0.2-0.6 m high, and if it receives enough moisture, it can grow up to 1.2 m. The plant blooms with small white or red flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter, collected in double umbrellas. Flowering falls in June-July. Spice is popular in oriental cuisine.

• Useful properties of culture:
• restores vision;
• calms the nervous system;
• helps with insomnia;
• saves from headaches;
• reduces the likelihood of a heart attack;
• establishes metabolic processes;
• improves heart activity;
• treats colds;
• improves lactation and milk quality;
• improves the functioning of the brain;
• normalizes the digestive tract;
• prevents the occurrence of blood clots;
• tones the body;
• removes edema due to diuretic action;
• increases libido;
• cleanses the body of toxins, toxins.

Important! Zira is forbidden to use in the presence of individual intolerance to spices, as well as in the presence of acute gastric diseases. With care, it should be taken by overweight people and diabetics, since the seeds are high in calories.

Caraway

Caraway is a two- or perennial plant from the same genus of the umbrella family. The most popular member of the genus is cumin. It is he who is a popular spice. The foliage of the plant is twice or thriceous, oblong, covering an erect single stem, branched in the upper part.In the lower leaves the petioles are long, in the upper - short. During the flowering period, it forms umbrella inflorescences at the ends of the branches, consisting of bisexual or partially stamen flowers with white, pink or red petals. The plant is considered a good honey plant. Caraway seeds are a popular spice in Germany and Austria.

• Useful properties of spice:
• eliminates digestive problems;
• accelerates the process of excretion of bile;
• improves appetite;
• enhances lactation;
• eliminates headaches;
• helps with bronchitis and inflammatory processes in the lungs.

Important! With unlimited use, it can provoke attacks in the digestive system. Undesirable on the menu for diabetics, as it increases sugar.

What is the difference between caraway and zira?

There are differences between cultures, not only in appearance, but also in the region of origin, in taste and aroma.

Video: differences between caraway and zira

Place of origin

It is believed that zira comes from Central Asian lands. In India, it is cultivated in vegetable gardens, is also actively grown in Southeast Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, North Africa and Latin America. On European lands, zira is less popular. Here cumin got the palm. It grows in the temperate climate of Europe. It is found in the same band in Asia.1) Zira; 2) Cumin

Crop conditions

In open ground, caraway seeds and zira can be sown at the same time, in April, when the temperature rises above + 8 ° С. Both cultures prefer a similar soil: fertile and loose - they do not grow on clay and sand. The occurrence of groundwater requires different things: for caraway seeds closer to the surface than for zira. Both plants love sunny areas.

Did you know? Caraway essential oil is used in perfumes and soap making.

A “crop” is harvested approximately 140 days after planting, when 55-60% of the seeds in the upper umbrellas will be ripe, the rest brown. Caraway seeds must be cut with a pruner or with a sharp knife and collected in sheaves, and the zira is mowed and collected in rolls. Both plants require drying for several days before the seeds can be threshed.

Differences in taste and smell

Caraway seeds have a burning island-spicy taste with a light citrus aftertaste. Zira has a sharp taste with a nutty aftertaste. In the raw form, differences in the aroma of plants are weakly expressed. But if you fry the seeds, then some will exude a bitter flavor with notes of walnut, and the second - a sharp-sweet aroma, vaguely reminiscent of dill. The first seeds are cumin, and the second is caraway. Strengthen the aroma can be not only by roasting, but also by rubbing the seed in the hands.

Appearance

Caraway fruits are oblong, slightly compressed on the sides, with dull longitudinal ribs in the amount of 5 pcs. Seeds are brown, slightly curved. They reach 3-5 mm in length. The fruits of zira are also oblong, oblate on the sides. They reach 6 mm in length and 1.5 mm in width. The shape is usually straight or slightly arched. Color is brown or gray-green.

Did you know? From the fruits of Zira, the Greeks prepare healing firming tea for children.

Recommendations for the use of both crops

Since the seeds of plants are specific in taste, they have features for use:

1. Cultures successfully complement each other and are combined with other spices: paprika, anise, nutmeg, mint, cinnamon, dill, parsley, cloves, turmeric, ginger, mustard, basil.
2. Zira is suitable for pilaf, spicy sausages and cheese products, meat dishes. Cumin is used in canning, baking, added to drinks.
3. These spices, if not at hand, can be replaced with chili, curry, coriander.
4. In order for zira to retain its qualities longer, it must be fried before grinding.

Zira and caraway seeds are completely different plants, although seasoning is perfectly combined. They have a rich composition and a wide range of beneficial effects, so the use of these spices in cooking will help to heal the body.