While caraway or Persian cumin is a herb, its seeds are in general treated as a spice. The caraway is a biennial herbaceous plant that grows to a height of about 70 cm and a spread of 35 cm. The root system is tapered and like that of a parsnip. It has soft, fern like leaves and white hued with pink umbels of flowers that appear in mid summer. It takes two years for the caraway plant to mature and bear flowers. The ripe fruit of these flowers divide into two seeds.
Cultivation is most effectual when grown in a large clump. It requires well-drained soil and a good deal of sun to get the best flavor. Seedlings don’t transplant well, so sow in directly wherever they are to grow in the garden in spring or autumn. Caraway does best from fall-sown seeds and in general sprouting is a little slow.
Before planting work the soil to some depth since caraway is deep-rooted herb. It does well in all but those most wet warm regions. You must aloud about 20 cm between plants. Caraway needs very little attention other than weeding and guaranteeing watering in very dry weather condition.
The seeds are delicious cooked in seed cakes, with fatty meals such as pork, goose but they are especially good with cabbage dishes, carrots and cheese. It is also an all-important component of Kummel and other liqueurs. The roots might be boiled and eaten as vegetables while the crispy young leaves add a refreshening taste to salads and soups. Made into a tea, caraway is supposed to aid the digestion.
persian cumin, caraway
Rue is a highly aromatic and decorative evergreen shrub-herb. It is a member of the Rutaceae family (citrus). It has lacy blue-green leaves, small yellow flowers and grows to a height of about 90cm. Although native to Mediterranean, this perennial herb will tolerate cooler climate and it makes an attractive hedging plant growing also for its (almost entirely) decorative qualities.
Rue has been highly valued for its medicinal strengths over the years. It is reputed to cure numerous complaints, such as headaches, coughs, and croup. Rue is toxic in large doses, but it is prescribed by Homeopaths in minute doses to treat symptoms of weakness or bruising.
The part of the plant used (in very small quantities) is the fresh leaves to flavor salad dressings; if fresh leaves are not available, using the dried leaves make a poor replacement. Rue has a strong fragrance that is pleasant and sweet. Its rather bitter taste is , even more bitter when dried.
The herb prefers full sun and well drained soil with natural or added lime. Propagation is by seed, root division or cuttings 10-12cm long, in late summer. Many centuries ago rue was taken medicinally as a tisane and thought to preserve good health.