🥃 Kümmel

Caraway-flavoured spirit drink, or Kümmel, is category 23 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/787: a spirit drink produced by flavouring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with caraway (Carum carvi). The minimum strength is 30% vol. Other flavouring substances or preparations may be added, but the taste of caraway must predominate.

EU rules. Regulation 110/2008 already defined caraway-flavoured spirit drinks with a minimum of 30% vol.; Regulation 2019/787 added the name “Kümmel” to the category title. The neighbouring category 24, akvavit or aquavit, is stricter: at least 37.5% vol., flavour largely from distillates of caraway or dill seeds, essential oils prohibited and dry extract up to 1.5 g per 100 ml. A liqueur (category 33) needs at least 15% vol. and, as a rule, at least 100 g of sugar per litre.

Protected names. The EU register holds three Kümmel names, all from Germany and all with an EU protection date of 12 June 1989: Berliner Kümmel, Hamburger Kümmel and Münchener Kümmel. Annex III to Regulation 110/2008 listed them under liqueurs.

Why it matters to you. The word “Kümmel” on a label means only that caraway is the predominant taste and that the strength is at least 30% vol.; sugar content and strength depend on the brand. Regulation 1924/2006 bans health claims on drinks above 1.2% vol. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.