🥃 Caraway

Caraway (Carum carvi) is a plant of the carrot family whose dried fruits, usually called seeds, have a spicy, slightly bitter aroma. It is the main spice of Kümmel-style caraway spirits and, together with dill, of aquavit. EU law gives drinks flavoured with it two separate categories, 23 and 24.

Caraway and cumin. Caraway is often confused with cumin (Cuminum cyminum), a different plant of the same family. German keeps them apart: Kümmel is caraway, Kreuzkümmel is cumin. According to Difford's Guide, Kümmel recipes may use both spices, along with fennel and orris root, but the drink takes its name from caraway.

In drinks. The EU regulation defines a caraway-flavoured spirit drink (category 23) as alcohol of agricultural origin flavoured with caraway, at a minimum of 30% vol. For aquavit (category 24) the flavour must come mainly from distillates of caraway and/or dill, essential oils are banned and the minimum strength is 37.5% vol. So in aquavit caraway is distilled, not added as oil.

As a medicinal plant. The European Medicines Agency recognises caraway fruit as a traditional herbal medicine for bloating and flatulence, on the basis of long-standing use rather than clinical trials. The EU herbal monograph was adopted in 2015; such products are intended for adults and adolescents over 12. This refers to a tea made from the fruit, not to alcoholic drinks.

Why it matters to you. Caraway is a spice, not a healthy ingredient of alcohol: caraway spirits start at 30% vol. and aquavit at 37.5%. According to the European Medicines Agency, caraway should be avoided by anyone allergic to plants of the carrot family (fennel, anise, celery, coriander, dill), mugwort or birch. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe dose of alcohol.