Caraway Seeds

Caraway seeds are best known when used in bread, biscuits (cookies) and Cakes. However, they can also be used in savoury dishes too.

Here is a recipe for a warming Autumn/Winter Gammon Stew. Serves six

15ml Olive Oil
1 red onion, Chopped
2 Cloves of garlic, Chopped
454g (1lb) Gammon, Diced (cubed)
Half medium head of cabbage, Chopped
235ml 8floz Water
2 large potatoes, sliced
3 carrots, Chopped
½ Teaspoon Celery seeds
½ Teaspoon Caraway seeds
½ Teaspoon Paprika
Salt & Black Pepper to taste
100g (4oz) Greens such as Spinach, Chard or beet tops

Heat the oil over a medium heat in a large pot. Stir in the onions and cook for about three minutes until tender. Stir in the garlic and the gammon and cook for a further two minutes. Stir in the cabbage and water, bring to a simmer and cover and cook for ten minutes.

Add the potatoes, carrots, celery seeds, caraway seeds, paprika, salt and pepper, cover and simmer for ten to twelve minutes.

Reduce the heat and add the greens and cover and simmer for ten more minutes. Serve with a good home made bread.


The seeds can also be used as a herbal tea too. Half to one teaspoon of the seeds gently pressed in a mortar and pestle, then infused by having boiling water poured on them for five minutes will release the flavours. A tea made from caraway is reputed to help with treating gum disease.

While most people will use herbs and spices for the flavours they add to the diet, all herbs and spices are also reputed to have health benefits too. Caraway seeds are reputed to help with Bronchitis, coughs and colds. As well as helping the body fight off infections. It is also said to be very helpful in reducing the effects of IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Like all natural products that add benefits to health via the diet, they must be used in moderation.