Nigella sativa (black caraway, also known as black cumin, nigella, and kalonji) is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to south and southwest Asia.N. sativa grows to 20-30 cm tall,with finely divided, linear leaves. The flowers are delicate, and usually colored pale bI ue and white, with five to ten petals.The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of three to seven united follicles, each containing numerous seeds which are used as spice, sometimes as a replacement for black cumin.
The seeds of N. sativa are used as a spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. The block seeds taste like a combination of onions, black pepper, and oregano. They have a pungent, bitter taste and smell.The dry-roasted seeds fray or curries, vegetables, and pulses.
