Black cumin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black cumin |
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Nigella
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| Nigella sativa |
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Nigella sativa is a cool plant often called black cumin. You might also hear it called nigella or kalonji. It's a type of flowering plant that grows every year. This plant comes from places in south and southwest Asia. Nigella sativa plants can grow to be about 20 to 30 centimeters tall. That's like the length of a ruler!
The fruit of the black cumin plant holds many tiny seeds. These seeds are very popular as a spice in cooking. Sometimes, they are even used instead of the original black cumin, which is a different plant called Bunium bulbocastanum.
Contents
What Does Black Cumin Taste Like?
The small black seeds have a unique taste. It's like a mix of onions, black pepper, and oregano. They also have a strong, slightly bitter taste and a distinct smell.
How Black Cumin Is Used
People use black cumin seeds in many ways. When they are dry-roasted, the seeds add great flavor to dishes like curries. They are also used with vegetables and pulses (like lentils or beans).
You can sprinkle these seeds as a seasoning on many foods. They are great with pod fruits, salads, and chicken. In some cultures, people use black cumin seeds to flavor different kinds of bread.
Spice Mixes and Special Dishes
Black cumin is a key part of a spice mix called panch phoron. This name means "a mixture of five spices." It's used a lot in Bengali cooking. You might also recognize the seeds on naan bread.
In the Middle East, nigella seeds are used in a special braided string cheese. This cheese is called majdouleh or majdouli.
Images for kids
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A single black cumin seed
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A handful of N. sativa seeds
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The beautiful flowers can be blue or white
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See also
In Spanish: Nigella sativa para niños
